Grant, John M.: my Navy recollections (June 13 - July 23, 1977)

Interviewee: Grant, John M., b. 1895

ABSTRACT: Capt. John M. Grant, C.B.E. Royal Canadian Navy Grant_J_0173_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Born ca. 1894 in Halifax, N.S. He spent two years at school in Heidelberg, Germany. Returning to Halifax in 1909. In Jan. 1911 he joined the Royal Naval College of Canada as one of a class of twenty-one cadets. He entered a strenuous regime conducted by Royal Navy instructors with a heavy emphasis on engineering subjects. Graduated as a midshipman in 1913. Joined H.M.S. Berwick (cruiser), sailed for the West Indies for training. In Mexico and Venezuela was part of a force sent to protect British interests against revolutionaries. (25:00) After courses at Halifax he joined another cruiser, H.M.S. Suffolk and describes the operation of "coaling ship". Explains the selection of Canadian midshipmen for H.M.S. Good Hope, later sunk in action. Suffolk on patrol off the eastern seaboard of the United States where she stoppped shipping to search for German nationals of military age, who were removed. Since he spoke German, he was always a member of the boarding party. Escorted troopships to England. Appointed to H.M.S. Beaver (I-class destroyer). (48:00) Grant_J_0173_02.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) Constantly at sea, patrolling to the Hook of Holland. Escorted hospital ships to and from France. Comments on anti-submarine and minesweeping methods. (25:00) Describes modern asdic, depth charges, and the hydrophones used in the Great War which could not be used when a ship was underway. In action against enemy submarine. (48:00) Grant_J_0173_03.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Ordered to the Mediterranean in Apr. 1918. Convoy, anti-submarine, and rescue work; much improved social and sports activities ashore. Soon at Brindisi, Ital. where great efforts were made to seal the Adriatic against movement of enemy submarines, but only partially effective, since the sea was too deep to blockade. Executive officer of Beaver. Ferried troops to the Dardanelles when Turkey surrendered. Entered the Sea of Marmara and proceeded to Constantinople. (45:00) Grant_J_0173_04.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 2) In Oct. 1918 participated in the bombardment of Durazzo, Albania. From Constantinople they sailed to Odessa, Russ. where the German army and the White Russians were attempting to keep some sort of civil order. To a welcome by the Rumanians they sailed up the Danube where they attempted to keep the Rumanians and Bulgarians apart. In Dec. 1918 called at Sevastopol, saw and visited the Russian Black Sea Fleet, largely abandoned and in a poor state of repair. Removed a number of political refugees from Odessa. General comments. (46:00)

Rank: Captain. Medals and Honours: Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Interviewer: Murphy, James

An interview/narrative of John M. Grant's experiences during World War I. Captain Grant, C.B.E. served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on June 13, 18, July 20 and 23, 1977.

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Murphy, James
• Grant, John M., b. 1895

Subject

• Military history
• World War (1939-1945)
• Canada. Royal Canadian Navy
• Naval history
• World War (1914-1918)

Language

• eng

Date created

• June 13, 1977 to July 23, 1977

Relation

• Capt. Grant was the first Captain of the Royal Canadian Naval College, H.M.C.S. Royal Roads during World War II.
• Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.

Resource type

• Sound

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 4 sound recordings (MP3)

Geographic coverage

• Germany
• England

Coordinates

• 51.5, 10.5
• 52.16045, -0.70312

Additional physical characteristics

• Two original sound tape reels (ca. 180 min.) : 3 3/4 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 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

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

Archival item identifier

• GJM_173

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 11, 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, 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 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/bcbd-km44

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