Edmondson, John S.: my Army recollections (June 6 - August 12, 1982)
PublicABSTRACT: Lt.-Col. John S. Edmondson The South Saskatchewan Regiment Edmondson_J_0168_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Born on Aug. 17, 1919 at Estevan, Sask. Joined the South Saskatchewan Regiment (militia) at the age of fifteen. In Jan. 1938 enlisted in Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry as a private. Took basic training with the unit. Compares peacetime and wartime service. When the regiment was sent overseas in 1939 he, and others, were posted to Calgary as instructors. In Jan. 1941 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the South Saskatchewan Regiment and given seventy-two hours notice for overseas. Edmondson_J_0168_02.mp3 In England comments on short rations during the winter of 1941/1942 and general difficulties in shaping the unit into an effective one. (45:00) Lt.-Col. C.C.I. Merritt was commanding officer. Combined operations training before the raid on Dieppe. Pre-raid intelligence not as good as it might have been. Second-in-command of his company during the attack. (22:00) Edmondson_J_0168_03.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) The objective of "D" Company was a farm about four miles inland, near Pourville. Explains specific duties as second-in-command, including that of last man off the beach upon withdrawal. The attack: blown off the road, probably by a mortar bomb, when he was about to charge across the bridge over the Scie River. (20:00) Evacuated to Newhaven by landing craft, tank, one of only eight members of "D" Company to return to England. (35:00) Discusses weapons, including a method of firing the two-inch mortar from the hip. (45:00) Edmondson_J_0168_04.mp3 Promoted to captain and, in early 1944, to major. General discussion on proposals to invade Europe, lessons learned at Dieppe. Communications and leadership battle drill valuable. (31:00) Edmondson_J_0168_05.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Some details of pre-D-Day security measures, training, etc. Landed in Normandy during the first week of July 1944. In reserve, then moved through Caen to participate in their first attack before Verrieres Ridge. German tanks attacked through wheat field. Heavy casualties and considerable disorganization. (25:00) Reinforcements. Weapons. Temporary command of somewhat demoralized battalion. (45:00) Edmondson_J_0168_06.mp3 Fighting at Rocquancourt. Some criticism of senior officers who lacked battlefield experience at the battalion level. Bombed by friendly forces before Falaise. In Falaise his jeep blown up by an anti-tank mine; both eardrums broken as well as one foot. Evacuated to England. (24:00) Edmondson_J_0168_07.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 2) Partially recovered, returned to Canada. Attached to the Canadian Scottish Regiment in 1947, having reverted to captain in the Interim Force. Staff college. Directorate of Military Training. Promoted to major. Discusses the methods of the military bureaucracy. Edmondson_J_0168_08.mp3 Appointed to the Black Watch as second-in-command upon its reorganization. Very heavy administration and training schedule which may have contributed to an ulcer. Posted as general staff officer, grade 2 (operations and training) in Winnipeg. In 1957 Deputy Adjutant and Quartermaster General with 4th British Division in Germany - a valuable learning experience. As lieutenant-colonel he was made Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General (operations and plans) at the Directorate of Military Training. Staff college in the United States. Comments on integration and unification. (43:00) Edmondson_J_0168_09.mp3 (Reel 3, Side 1) Mobile Command planning staff. Organizing headquarters required long hours and there was considerable dissension. Logistics position in Vancouver. Sent to Pakistan as a United Nations observer in 1970. Mentions involvement in the courts-martial (1946) of Canadian prisoners of war who collaborated with the Japanese during the war. Some jail sentences were handed down. Comments on his army career. (36:00)
An interview/narrative of John S. Edmondson's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant-Colonel Edmondson served with the South Saskatchewan Regiment. Interview took place on June 6, August 4 and 12, 1982.
Interviewer: Bell, Chris
Interviewee: Edmondson, John S., b. 1919
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.
- In Collection:
- 9 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 51.5, 10.5
- Three original sound tape reels (ca. 345 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 5 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- EJS_168
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- February 25, 2009
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 32 kHz. Digitized by KG, 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 2009. 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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