Ross, John Stewart: my Army recollections (August 22, and 29, 1978)
An interview/narrative of John Stewart Ross's experiences during World War II. Brigadier-General Ross, D.S.O. served with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and the Royal Canadian Artillery. Interview took place on August 22 and 29, 1978.
ABSTRACT: Brig. John Stewart Ross, D.S.O. Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Royal Canadian Artillery Ross_J_0123_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born in Halifax on June 23, 1911 (died on March 1, 1989). His father, a physician and member of the militia, died when Brig. Ross was five years old. He remembers the Halifax Explosion of 1917. He and his mother were blown off their feet at a distance of three miles from the site of the blast. Came to Victoria in 1919 where his mother married an Ordnance Corps officer (later Maj.-Gen.) and lived at Work Point Barracks. Later attended schools in Calgary and Toronto. Entered the Royal Military College in 1929. Describes academics and discipline at the college, both of which he found to be tough. A heavy sports schedule which, with a student body of only two hundred, produced very good results at the intercollegiate intermediate level, particularly in hockey and football. Due to academic problems he spent five years at R.M.C., graduating in 1934. Granted a permanent commission in the army and joined B Battery, R.C.H.A. in Kingston. The pay for a lieutenant was 108 dollars per month out of which, during the first year, one month's salary was deducted as an initiation fee in the officers' mess. Other deductions included a per diem charge for extra messing and the total of a bar bill, limited in the case of subalterns, to thirteen dollars per month. A formal mess where officers dressed for dinner four nights a week. Ross_J_0123_02.mp3 Later posted to Winnipeg where the garrison mess was less formal with mess kit worn only one night a week. (60:00) In fall 1938 he returned to Kingston and very shortly thereafter was chosen to be a two-year exchange officer in England. Posted to the 9th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, at Larkhill. On Sept. 16, 1939 he found himself in France with the British army. In June 1940 he was to be one of only two Canadian officers to be evacuated from Dunkirk. Promoted to captain by the British. Gives details of the procedure required of a lieutenant to obtain permission to marry. In France he participated in many large-scale exercises during the "phony war". In May 1940 the regiment moved into Belgium and into action which did not stop until they were evacuated. (15:00) Explains the evacuation: supply system broke down, no sleep, in action all day, moved at night. At the end their guns were destroyed by the engineers while they destroyed their vehicles. On the night of May 31/June 1 they marched thirty-four miles. Returned to England dead tired aboard a minesweeper. Points out that morale remained high. For better control every officer commanded a group of fifty men. Great reception in England. (30:00) Ross_J_0123_03.mp3 (Side 2) In May 1940 he finally had his pay problems with the Canadian army resolved when the British paid the Canadian government the difference of pay when they promoted Ross to captain. Received instructions to join 1st Field Regiment, R.C.H.A., then was promoted to major and to command a battery of 2nd Field Regiment, R.C.A. Posted to Canada as chief instructor at the Artillery Training Centre at Winnipeg, then as a staff officer at Petawawa. Staff College at Kingston for four months. (25:00) Posted overseas as brigade major (artillery) with 5th Canadian Armoured Division. In March 1943 commanded 3rd Field Regiment, R.C.A. (1st Canadian Infantry Division). Training in Scotland for the invasion of Sicily. Explains how artillery commanding officers are closely associated with infantry regiments they are supporting. Invasion of Sicily. (35:00) Lost one battery at sea due to enemy action. For a short time they used a battery of captured horsedrawn Italian guns, but soon discarded them due to their short range. Impressions of Sicily, a backward country in many respects. (40:00) Comments on various army commanders. (45:00) Ross_J_0123_04.mp3 British tank regiments support Canadians. Awarded D.S.O. Explains ways that they were awarded. Forward observation officer duties. (15:00) Great flexibility in the use of Canadian artillery. Promoted brigadier in Dec. 1944 and commander of 5th Armoured Division artillery. Move to Belgium and Holland. Comments on relations with the Russians; immediate postwar impressions. Reverted to the rank of colonel in the Interim Force and became Director of Artillery. Regained the rank of brigadier in 1959. Command structure explained for western Canada; commanded the Alberta area, then eastern Ontario. Retired in Apr. 1966. (50:00)
Interviewee: Ross, John Stewart, 1911-1989
Rank: Brigadier-General. Medals and Honours: Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Interviewer: Main, Chris D.
- In Collection:
- 4 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 180 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- RJS_123
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- July 18, 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 |
|
|
|
Ross_J_0123_01.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Ross_J_0123_02.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Ross_J_0123_03.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Ross_J_0123_04.mp3 |
|