Caven, Ronald: my United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus recollections (March 23, 2013)
PublicAn interview/narrative of Ron Caven's experiences whilst serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. Interview took place on March 23, 2013.
ABSTRACT: Ron Caven's experience during his four tours in Cyprus as part of UNFICYP. Hebegan as a rifleman then an electrician and a transport leader in the pioneer platoon. He participated in patrolling the Green Line and also fixed things around the camps. He also voluntarily brought aid to the refugees. He befriended a Cypriot family who into refuge and details some of his companionship. Duties are discussed and his overall experience. He was involved in one major incident on the Green Line where they had to use a show of force. Overall, the interview focuses on the everyday activity and experience in Cyprus. At the end, he evaluates whether or not the mandate and mission was successful. 00.00-01.25: Introduction 01.25-01.52: Joining the Army 01.52-03.10: Places Served and Training (Toronto, Calgary, Cyprus, Victoria, Wainwright,Victoria, Norway, The US, Germany, Gagetown) 03.10-03.53: Background in the Army, Infantry, Queen's Own Rifles, PPCLI 03.53-04.12: Preparation for Cyprus 04.12-05.13: Duties in Cyprus (Rifleman) 05.13-05:38: Specialized Training and Exercises 05.38-06.53: Explanation of situation in Cyprus and dates served/ 06.53-08:03: Initial thoughts of Cyprus 08.03-10.42: Explanation of Green Line and Experience Patrolling the Green Line 10.42-12.19: Duties in Cyprus (Pioneer Platoon, Electrician) 12.19-12.39: Duties in Cyprus (Platoon Sergeant of the Pioneer Platoon) 12.39-13.27: Duties in Cyprus (Pioneer Platoon, Transport) 13.27-14.54: Relations with the Locals (Greek and Turkish Cypriots) 14.54-16.15: Learning the language 16.15-16.51: Most important duty, rifleman 16.51-18.58: Preventing Violence between the two sides 18.58-19.35: Rules of Engagement and Mandate 19.35-20.06: Current Events in Cyprus and Cyprus economy during the tours 20.06-20.45: Other countries in Cyprus and Division of the Island 20.45-21.36: Interaction and Exchange with the other contingents 21.36-22.17: Political Climate (changed after 1974) 22.17-25.25: Relationship with a Greek family and providing aid to refugees 25.25-27.06: Looking at pictures of the Greek family, looking through pictures 27.06-27.51: Explanation of Greek tradition for when guests are at the house 27.51-28.21: Keeping in touch with the Greek family 28.21-29.24: Refugees and Volunteering Aid 29.24-30.23: Explanation of doing four tours 30.23-34.39: Conclusion and Evaluation of Cyprus Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 16.51-18.58: Preventing violence between the two sides. Turks firing into a Greek village to create an incident and dropping water barrels to sound like explosions. Commander at the time decided to show a show of force, including APCs and mortars. 20.45-21 .36: Interaction and Exchange with the other contingents. Spent a month with the English and the English would send a platoon to the Canadians, trade duties. It was an exchange program. 22.17-25.25: Met a Greek family through an electrician. Corresponded every year and every tour after his second tour they would get together. In 1974 the Greek's village had been overrun and Ron Caven had not heard from them in awhile. The family had fled to a refugee camp in the mountains. It took a month and a half to find them. They had lost everything. Plan to bring supplies every Saturday to the mountains for the refugee camps. Would spend the day with the Greek family he knew while the food was unloaded, they would receive wine as a thank you.
Interviewer: Dunn, Kymberly
Interviewee: Caven, Ronald Barry, 1948-
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 51.5, 10.5
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- CR_775
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 23, 2013
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2013. 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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