Roy, Reginald H.: my Army recollections (August 6, and 15, 1980)

Interviewer: Thackray, William S.

Rank: Lieutenant.

ABSTRACT: Lieut. (Dr.) Reginald H. Roy (Ph.D.) The Cape Breton Highlanders Roy_R_0125_01.mp3 Born on Dec. 11, 1922 in New Glasgow, N.S. Some details of family military history including that of his father who was a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the Royal Flying Corps. Lived in Sydney, N.S. for several years until at age sixteen he joined the Cape Breton Highlanders (militia) shortly before the war. Trained as a signaller. Ordered to report to the unit on Sept. 2, 1939. Uniform a kilt, Great War tunic and webbing; no boots or socks. Went "active" as a boy soldier. Notes the almost complete lack of military preparations in the unit, lack of weapons, even rifles. Discusses the mobilization and equipping of militia units; priority being given to units assigned to divisions. Everyone in the unit at Sydney lived out as there were no barracks. (15:00) Much of their basic training took place in an old church until barrack accommodation was built. Training was not too strenuous, partly due to a lack of boots. Sent to St. John, N.B. for garrison duty in winter 1940/41. (35:00) Still no modern equipment was made available to them. In early 1941 they were chosen to form part of an overseas division. (41:00) Roy_R_0125_02.mp3 (Interview 2) Describes the H-huts usually provided to the troops, interior equipment, place for personal effects, etc. (45:00) Promoted to private and, six months later, to corporal. Moved to Connaught Ranges, then to Camp Borden where he became sergeant in the pioneer platoon. Saw modern weapons for the first time. In May 1941 became part of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division. Training equipment poured in and the battalion was brought up to war establishment. Describes his general impression of Camp Borden. Moved to Debert, N.S. where the first exodus of veterans of the Great War left the battalion and where most of the units of the division concentrated before proceeding overseas. (20:00) Landed in Scotland after a rough crossing in the Aquitania. Maida Barracks at Aldershot, old two-story brick buildings. Living conditions were spartan and the Canadians thought that English rations were a bit thin. The battalion became upset and a "strike" occurred when the remaining officers and men who had served in the Great War were replaced by personnel from the Black Watch. Leave in London was a novel experience for a nineteen year old from Nova Scotia. (35:00) The London scene. England was a fascinating place: the country, theatres, museums, etc. (40:00)

Interviewee: Roy, Reginald H., b. 1922

An interview/narrative of Reginald H. Roy's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant (Dr.) Roy (Ph.D.) served with the Cape Breton Highlanders. Interview took place on August 6 and 15, 1980.

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Roy, Reginald H., b. 1922
• Thackray, William S.

Subject

• World War (1939-1945)
• Personal narratives--Canadian
• Military history
• World War (1914-1918)

Language

• eng

Date created

• August 6, 1980 to August 15, 1980

Relation

• Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.

Resource type

• Sound

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 2 sound recordings (MP3)

Geographic coverage

• England

Coordinates

• 52.16045, -0.70312

Additional physical characteristics

• One original sound tape reel (ca. 90 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : 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

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

Archival item identifier

• RRH_125

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 20, 2007

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 AN, 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 2007. 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/10.58066/2ezk-g604

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