Jacobs, Alfred George: my Army recollections (May 26 - August 12, 1983)
An interview/narrative of Alfred George Jacobs's experiences during World War I and World War II. Lieutenant-Colonel Jacobs served with Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). Interview took place on May 26, June 8, August 3, 5 and 12, 1983.
Interviewer: Bell, Chris
Interviewee: Jacobs, Alfred George, b. 1894
ABSTRACT: Lt.-Col. Alfred George Jacobs Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Jacobs_A_0195_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Born on March 23, 1894 at Salisbury, Wiltshire. After finishing his schooling he was employed in a variety of jobs, including apprentice plumber. Family emigrated to Canada in 1911. Describes immigration hall, colonist train to Saskatoon. English and Canadian experiences. (25:00) Jacobs_A_0195_02.mp3 Joined cavalry militia unit. Interview moves forward in time to the battle at Moreuil Wood in March 1918 where he was a member of the Lord Strathcona's Horse (L.S.H.). Wounded. Jacobs_A_0195_03.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) Explains location in 1914 of squadrons of a militia cavalry unit, usually located in different prairie towns. Joined the L.S.H. Discusses equipment, troopship to England. Early training at Quebec. (47:00) Jacobs_A_0195_04.mp3 Explains military equitation and drill. Stowing horses aboard ship. Troopship anecdote. Scandals at Fort Osborne in the 1920's, pay scales, barrack life. (45:00) Jacobs_A_0195_05.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Returns to his account of the movement from Canada to Salisbury Plain. So wet that the horse lines had to be moved as often as three times a day. No training as cavalry, but became an excellent horseman. Billeted in villages. Comments on Brig.-Gen. J.B. Seely. (Lt.-Col. G.R. Bradbrooke selected officers and N.C.O.'s for the Calgary Regiment, World War II.) Opinion of the Minister of Militia, Sam Hughes, and his characteristic ego. (45:00) Jacobs_A_0195_06.mp3 In March 1915 they moved into brigade barracks in Sussex. Jacobs was by now a troop trumpeter. Describes the L.S.H.'s fighting as infantry in France, trench system, sniping post, laundry, shelling, etc. (53:00) Jacobs_A_0195_07.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 2) Relieves another battalion in the front line. Details of trench life and conditions, the sights and smells, his wounds. Participated in patrols in no-man's land. (45:00) Jacobs_A_0195_08.mp3 Night movement. (Reel 3 is missing.) Jacobs_A_0195_09.mp3 (Reel 4, Side 1) Demobilized in 1919, rejoined the regiment in 1920. Some description of personnel, early barracks and stables in Calgary and Winnipeg. Anecdote re profits on sales of beer. Within six months was promoted to sergeant. Jacobs_A_0195_010.mp3 Sent to assist in the training of the militia. Took instructors course in physical training. Winter schools, camp anecdote. (45:00) Jacobs_A_0195_011.mp3 (Reel 4, Side 2) Regimental life. Admired Capt. Worthington (later of armoured corps fame). Mentions Lt.-Col. (to be) J.C. Cave and Maj. C.E. Connolly. Jacobs_A_0195_012.mp3 Courting days and marriage, 1929/1930. (48:00) Jacobs_A_0195_013.mp3 (Reel 5) Returns to his early days in the militia in Saskatchewan. Quality of the militia and how effective they were in the Great War. Feels that, between the wars, much of the militia was not very effective, although some units were very good. Tales of the British Columbia interior militia. Indian members of the cavalry militia attended for summer camp only, bringing their own horses. Commissioned when World War II broke out. Jacobs_A_0195_014.mp3 Adjutant of his unit. Commanded the training wing at Calgary, as a lieutenant-colonel for the last two years of the war. Returns to anecdotes of militia training between the wars and of the period 1914-1918. Jacobs_A_0195_015.mp3 Offers a favourable opinion of Lt.-Col. (later Brig.) C.E. Connolly and his career. Describes his own family. (85:00)
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.
- In Collection:
- 15 sound recordings (MP3)
- 51.05011, -114.08529
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Four original sound tape reels (ca. 600 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 8 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- JAG_195
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- June 25, 2010
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. ; WWI Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2010. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
