Campbell, Ian Wallace: my Army recollections (May 10, 1978)
Rank: Lieutenant.
ABSTRACT: Lt. Ian Wallace Campbell Royal Canadian Artillery The Loyal Edmonton Regiment 2nd Canadian Special Infantry Battalion Campbell_I_0023_01.mp3 Born on Jan. 27, 1923 in Winnipeg. Joined the 112th Field Battery (militia) in Lethbridge in 1939. Trained at Shilo and Sarcee. Mobilized in 1941 as the 112th Light Anti-Aircraft (L.A.A.) Battery (6th L.A.A. Regiment). Regiment assembled at Petawawa in 1942. Sent to Prince Rupert and Annette Island to organize the anti-aircraft defences. Returned to Petawawa, then overseas in Oct. 1942 to Colchester, England. Describes training in England. Officer training course, food services, army routine. Boredom caused him to volunteer for the infantry. Sent to Italy about Oct. 1944. Joined the Loyal Edmonton Regiment just before Christmas. Impressions of Italy, troopship, etc. (25:00) In action at Granarolo in Jan. 1945. Confusion of battle; an exciting time. Campbell_I_0023_02.mp3 Comments on German troops, many of whom were quite young. Wounded by a grenade at the Senio River. (35:00) Describes aggressive Canadian action against the enemy. Evacuated to the hospital. (45:00) Lived in a Red Cross convalescent hotel for a time. Sat on a court martial board in Rome. Returned to England in May 1945. Joined the 2nd Canadian Special Infantry Battalion at Camberley. This unit was formed in response to the Aldershot riots which had been Canadian in origin. In the event, they were not required in their policing role. Uniform distinctions: green patch on the sleeve, maple leaf cap badge, and high-top boots as worn by the 3rd Canadian Division. Heavy regime of parade ground drill in the style of the Scots Guards. They were put to use on ceremonial occasions. The riots had been largely caused by boredom and misunderstanding of the reasons for lack of transport to Canada. (12:00)
Interviewee: Campbell, Ian Wallace, b. 1923
An interview/narrative of Ian Wallace Campbell's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant Campbell served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the 2nd Canadian Special Infantry Battalion. Interview took place on May 10, 1978.
Interviewer: Main, Chris D.
- In Collection:
- Aldershot Riot, Aldershot, England, 1945
- Military education
- Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Special Infantry Battalion, 2nd
- Canada--Canadian Army--Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 6th
- Senio, Battle of, Senio River, Italy, 1944
- Canada--Canadian Army--Royal Canadian Artillery
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, Canadian
- World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns-- Italy--Granarolo dell'Emilia
- Canada--Canadian Army--Loyal Edmonton Regiment
- Campbell, Ian Wallace, b. 1923.--Interviews.
- Canada--Canadian Army--Military life
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- 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
- CIW_023
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- May 11, 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
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