Dickins, Clennell H.: my Air Force recollections (September 29, 1978)

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ABSTRACT: Lt. Clennell H. Dickins, O.C., O.B.E., D.F.C. Royal Flying Corps Dickins_C_0039_01.mp3 Born on Jan. 12, 1899 in Portage la Prairie, Man. where his father was a bank manager. Schooled in Edmonton where, after completing second year university (Alberta), he enlisted, at eighteen years of age, in the 196th (Western Universities) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.), which he thought was to provide reinforcements for the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. At university he completed the officer requirement in the Canadian Officers Training Corps, but joined up as a private to be with friends. (15:00) At that time an older brother in the Royal Flying Corps caused him to consider that corps first. The decision was postponed while he underwent serious training in Canada. By troop train to Halifax, which took six days interspersed with exercise stops and two route marches. Overseas in the Mauretania, sailing alone, with about eight thousand others, packed like sardines. In England joined a reinforcement battalion, the 21st Battalion, C.E.F. Rigorous training. A few days leave with his brother tipped the scales in favour of the Royal Flying Corps (R.F.C). In London he was discharged from the Canadian Army and joined the British. Two weeks of indoctrination followed (mostly drill), then posted to the aviation ground school at Christ Church College, Oxford. (30:00) In Jan. 1918 he was sent to the 25th Training Squadron, R.F.C. as a provisional second lieutenant. Bought R.F.C. officer's uniform, but wore a white flash in cap to indicate that he was a student. Began flying in a Maurice Farman pusher aircraft, then a de Havilland 6, B.E. 2C, R.E. 8, and others. Describes some air tactics and manoeuvres. A further two weeks were spent at aerial gunnery school, including air photography with single frame cameras. (45:00) Dickins_C_0039_02.mp3 In those days the minimum flying time required to be awarded wings was twenty hours. Dickins had twenty-four to twenty-five hours before being sent to France. Posted to 211 Squadron near the English Channel, equipped with DH9 bombers with a load capacity of four 112-lb. bombs. Discusses machine-gun armament, Vickers and Lewis guns, interrupter gear for firing through the propeller, etc. (10:00) Spent much time bombing the submarine pens at Bruges from a height of about twelve thousand feet. Heavy anti-aircraft fire, some enemy fighter aircraft. Essential for safety to maintain formation against the latter. Later on they moved south to support the British First Army. By the end of the war casualties and a few transfers had left Dickins as the most senior pilot in the squadron in terms of service. Promoted to lieutenant. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after he returned to Canada. Mailed to him by the Deputy Minister of National Defence, but he has never received his citation! Returns to a discussion of aerial warfare. Mentions his friend "Wop" May from Edmonton, another postwar bush pilot. (30:00) Stayed on with the R.F.C., and then the Royal Air Force for a short while, but finally repatriated to Canada in May 1919. After a short time with the Royal Canadian Air Force he became a bush pilot in the Canadian north. Comments that he made the first long-distance commercially experimental flight in the Canadian "barrens" fifty years earlier in a Fokker aircraft. (40:00) Thoughts on flying, Western Canada Airways, and establishing a practical winter flying service. During World War II he joined Canadian Pacific Railway as "Assistant to the President" and formed the Air Services Department. Organized the Atlantic Ferry Organization to fly military aircraft from North America to England. In 1942 was heavily involved as vice-president and general manager in the formation of Canadian Pacific Airlines. In 1947 he joined de Havilland of Canada, retiring in 1966 as executive vice-president.(50:00)

An interview/narrative of Clennell H. Dickins's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant Dickins, O.C., O.B.E., D.F.C. served with the Royal Flying Corps. Interview took place on September 29, 1978.

Interviewee: Dickins, Clennell H., b. 1899

Rank: Lieutenant.

Interviewer: Main, Chris D.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 2 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
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 Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • DCH_039
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 22, 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. ; WWI 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

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