Perodeau, G. N. Giles: my Army recollections (March 4, 1985)
Interviewee: Perodeau, G. N. Giles, b. 1919
Rank: Major.
An interview/narrative of G. N. Giles Perodeau's experiences during World War II. Major Perodeau served with the Royal Montreal Regiment. Interview took place on March 4, 1985.
Interviewer: Roy, Reginald H.
ABSTRACT: Major G.N. Giles Perodeau Royal Montreal Regiment Perodeau_G_0114_01.mp3 Born on Dec. 31, 1919 and attended school in Montreal. When the war began he first joined the naval reserve, but found himself under-age for officer selection. Felt that a better opportunity existed in the Royal Montreal Regiment which was raising a 2nd Battalion (militia). In Aug. 1941 sent to the O.C.T.U. at Brockville and then overseas as a reinforcement officer to the 1st Battalion in May 1942. In March 1944 the battalion was broken up to provide reinforcements, but he was asked to remain as armoured car troop commander in the one company retained as 1st Canadian Army headquarters defence company. Went to Normandy on D+10 with the Tactical headquarters. (15:00) Initially they had a very quiet time as no troops were under command. Appointed A.D.C. to Gen. H.D. Crerar, the Army commander, who liked to drive his own jeep, driver in the back, A.D.C. beside him, and with two military police outriders. Crerar very occasionally rode in the armoured cars. Flew a good deal and had to be met often at his destination by the A.D.C. and jeep. This often meant an early start for his aides. Normally on the road by 8:30 A.M. with coffee and sandwiches for lunch. Comments on Crerar's style. (25:00) A well-controlled individual, a reserved man, and headquarters had a quiet, reserved mess, in which an A.D.C. was always on duty if the General was present. Crerar-Montgomery comment. (35:00) Perodeau_G_0114_02.mp3 Relations with Lieut.-Gen. Guy Simonds. Reconnaissance to the Seine River. (45:00) Much time spent keeping maps up to date. Served Lieut.-Gen. Simonds when he was acting army commander. A man of very little humour. Much impressed by a visit to the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division. Gen. Crerar a great record keeper. Comments on various personalities. Was A.D.C. to the end of 1944, then posted to the staff at army headquarters, Belgium and Holland. (17:00)
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 45.50884, -73.58781
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 60 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- PGNG_114
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- July 16, 2007
- 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
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SC141_MilitaryOralHistory_GenericThumbnail |
|
|
|
Perodeau_G_0114_01.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Perodeau_G_0114_02.mp3 |
|