Parkinson, Robert H.: my Army recollections (January 19, 1984)

Interviewee: Parkinson, Robert H., b. 1916

Interviewer: Witzel, Morgen

An interview/narrative of Robert H. Parkinson's experiences during World War II. Captain Parkinson served with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. Interview took place on January 19, 1984.

ABSTRACT: Capt. Robert H. Parkinson Royal Canadian Army Service Corps Parkinson_R_0112_01.mp3 Born on July 12, 1916 in Victoria, B.C. and educated there and in Vancouver. A graduate of the University of British Columbia with postgraduate training in social work. Joined the R.C.A.S.C. Sent to the O.C.T.U. at Gordon Head Camp; advanced training at Red Deer, Alta. Sailed from New York for the United Kingdom in Feb. 1943. After further training sent to Italy, passing through a reinforcement unit to 1st Armoured Brigade Company (83 Coy.), R.C.A.S.C. Prepared for the attack on the Hitler Line; exclaims at the debris after the battle. Entered Rome shortly after liberation. Lake Trasimeno. Describes German thoroughness in destroying bridges and rail lines. Hepatitis - British hospital - persuaded doctors to discharge him so that he could rejoin his company rather than be sent to a reinforcement unit. During winter operations they moved hundreds of tons of ammunition to the tank regiments as well as all other necessities. His platoon was in direct support of the Calgary Regiment. Withdrawn from the Lombardy Plain to Leghorn, then Marseille. (20:00) For a while very good billets in Belgium, a great improvement over Italy. Supplied operations near Nijmegen. In command of the first platoon delivering food to the Dutch people; a somewhat nervous journey through the German lines in trucks flying the white flag. Chosen to be part of the Victory parade in Berlin, for which they prepared vigorously; drill, much spit and polish which the men found arduous after the much more relaxed atmosphere of operations. When participation in the parade was cancelled the men were greatly disturbed and there was a marked decline in discipline. Returned to Canada in Aug. 1945. (30:00) Became a social services officer in Calgary and was involved in assisting discharged soldiers, particularly with marital problems. Offered government position in July 1946. Some general thoughts on the Italian campaign. Parkinson_R_0112_02.mp3 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, as Army Troops, operated in support of many diverse groups: Poles, Indians, American, French. Never involved with Canadians after the attack on the Hitler Line. Great esprit-de-corps in the Company. Continued to "liberate" livestock and other items from the Italians who, after all, were former (or still) enemies. Canadian soldiers in the field were very inventive: made supplemental cook stoves, a good example. Most disliked duty was the transport of live sheep to the Indian Division; the trucks were a dreadful mess. Describes the organization of a R.C.A.S.C. company in support of a brigade. Comments on the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade and some of its personalities. (58:00)

Rank: Captain.

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Parkinson, Robert H., b. 1916
• Witzel, Morgen

Subject

• Personal narratives--Canadian
• Military history
• World War (1914-1918)
• World War (1939-1945)

Language

• eng

Date created

• January 19, 1984

Relation

• Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.

Resource type

• Sound

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 2 sound recordings (MP3)

Geographic coverage

• British Columbia--Victoria

Coordinates

• 48.4359, -123.35155

Additional physical characteristics

• One original sound tape reel (ca. 60 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.

Physical repository

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Collection

• Canadian Military Oral History Collection

Provider

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Genre

• interviews
• sound recordings
• reminiscences
• oral histories (literary genre)

Archival item identifier

• PRH_112

Fonds title

• Reginald Herbert Roy fonds

Fonds identifier

• SC104

Is referenced by

• Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds

Date digitized

• July 13, 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. 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

•  https://doi.org/10.58066/a2yb-7y71

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