Horsfield, Richard E.: my Air Force recollections (May 31, and June 24, 1978)

ABSTRACT: Wing Commander Richard E. Horsfield Royal Canadian Air Force (Reel 1) Interview of May 24, 1978 appears never to have been in the possession of the University of Victoria Archives. Horsfield_R_0175_01.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Discusses a Maj. Ellis, a prisoner of the Turks and a clever escape of the Great War, eventually reaching Cyprus and England. In the 1930's gave lectures on flying and also intelligence work. Took a job as information officer with the Dept. of National Defence, but was required to join the R.C.A.F. beforehand. Engaged in recruiting in Ontario, then on Vancouver Island. Squadron leader at the end of 1941. Promoted to wing commander. Instituted an advertising program in conjunction with private corporations that saved the government millions. Began to work on radio propaganda. (45:00) Horsfield_R_0175_02.mp3 Wrote thirteen radio shows, "L for Lancie". Anecdotes of Ottawa; the missing code machine, etc. Worked for and admired "Chubby" Powers, the Minister for Air. Criticizes Quebec regarding conscription and the war effort. Assistant director of manning, becoming director in early 1944 as an acting group captain. Later became chairman of the Demobilization Board. Some discussion regarding high ranking members of the R.C.A.F. (30:00) Demobilization point system. Concerned with ex-servicemen at U.B.C. Explains some of the benefits made available. Postwar he was employed by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Comments on the later unification of the services. Tradition adversely affected. Anecdotes of prewar army life and later of the air force. (58:00) Horsfield_R_0175_03.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 2) Opinions on senior air officers. Recruiting services in Vancouver. "Canadianization" of the R.C.A.F. serving in the R.A.F. Tests for the selection of air crew. Flying experiences on the west coast and elsewhere. (25:00) Horsfield_R_0175_04.mp3 (Reel 3, Side 1) In 1940 the R.A.F. advised that they were short of radio-radar technicians. Unsuccessful attempt to recruit through Queen's University, but were more successful recruiting technicians from the commercial sector. Stories of Billy Bishop, Douglas Bader, Campbell, Beurling. Horsfield_R_0175_05.mp3 Recruiting pilots. Alaska Highway. General comments; some stories perhaps apocryphal. Air Force headquarters. (51:00)

An interview/narrative of Richard E. Horsfield's experiences during World War II. Wing Commander Horsfield served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on May 31 and June 24, 1978.

Rank: Wing Commander.

Interviewer: Main, Chris D.

Interviewee: Horsfield, Richard E.

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Horsfield, Richard E.
• Main, Chris D.

Subject

• World War (1939-1945)
• Bishop, William Avery, 1894-1956
• World War (1914-1918)
• Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force
• Military history

Language

• eng

Date created

• May 31, 1978 to June 24, 1978

Relation

• Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
• Interview of May 24, 1978, on original reel 1, appears never to have been in the possession of Special Collections.

Resource type

• Sound

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 5 sound recordings (MP3)

Geographic coverage

• England
• British Columbia--Victoria

Coordinates

• 52.16045, -0.70312
• 48.4359, -123.35155

Additional physical characteristics

• Two original sound tape reels (ca. 180 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 3 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.

Physical repository

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Collection

• Canadian Military Oral History Collection

Provider

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Genre

• interviews
• sound recordings
• reminiscences
• oral histories (literary genre)

Archival item identifier

• HRE_175

Fonds title

• Reginald Herbert Roy fonds

Fonds identifier

• SC104

Is referenced by

• Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds

Date digitized

• July 13, 2006

Technical note

• Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by SC and JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2006. 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

•  https://doi.org/10.58066/8ny7-jb45

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