Ross, Norman H.: my Army recollections (July 20, and August 16, 1979)
PublicABSTRACT: Maj.-Gen. Norman H. Ross The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada Ross_N_0185_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1, interviewed by C. D. Main) Born on June 5, 1915 in Winnipeg. Educated in that city. Cadet corps at school, C.O.T.C. at University of Manitoba. Joined the Cameron Highlanders as a second lieutenant. Discusses uniforms, militia pay, aid to members of the unit during the Depression. Considerable time spent on the rifle range. (45:00) Ross_N_0185_02.mp3 Pipe band emphasized; good public relations. Some anti-military feeling in Winnipeg during the 1930's. Summer camp at Shilo. Military attitude, of themselves and by others. (28:00) Ross_N_0185_03.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) Offered a Permanent Force commission in 1939, but decided to stay with the Cameron Highlanders as he felt that war was near. Mobilization and direct recruiting took place in Sept. 1939. Luxury of selecting the best recruits. New ethnic mix. First winter spent on basic training; weather prevented tactical training. Battalion moved to Camp Shilo in late spring, 1940. Took the advance party to England on June 5, 1940. Experience taking over the British barracks at Cove. (45:00) Ross_N_0185_04.mp3 Great need to be alert! Became a staff captain (learner) at 2nd Division headquarters administration staff school at Oxford University. Administration officer at bomb reconnaissance school. Promoted to major and officer commanding A Company in the Cameron Highlanders. During 1942 it was ordered that no one over the age of forty-five years could serve in a field unit. Many officers, including the C.O., had to return to Canada. In his opinion their new commanding officer was not a good choice. Combined operations training on the Isle of Wight. Anecdote about Adm. Hughes-Hallett, then a captain and naval force commander at Dieppe. (40:00) Ross_N_0185_05.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Explains purpose and tactics of raid. Main task of the battalion was to pass through other troops and capture German documents. Felt that preparation for the raid was thorough. False start in July; actual raid in Aug. 1942. Landed at Pourville through the South Saskatchewan Regiment. Heavy defensive fire caused plans to be altered. Moved well inland against increasing resistance. Ordered to withdraw, pinned down on the beach for a while. Eventually evacuated, but had to swim to a landing craft, assault. (45:00) Ross_N_0185_06.mp3 Returned to Newhaven to a well-organized reception. Several days sorting out troops, intelligence reports, etc. To his knowledge there was no dissatisfaction or recrimination within the Cameron Highlanders. Supports Maj.-Gen. Ham Roberts, the raid commander. By the summer of 1943 they had replaced casualties and were again well-trained. Attended senior officers school; second-in-command of the battalion. In 1944 became the commanding officer. Necessity of replacing some long-serving members of the unit. Prior to D-Day the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division became part of the deception force deployed opposite Calais. (48:00) Ross_N_0185_07.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 2, interviewed by W. S. Thackray) Landed in Normandy on July 8, 1944 as part of the 6th Infantry Brigade commanded by Brig. Hugh Young. First in action after passing through Caen. Battle anecdotes. Excellent artillery support; engaged enemy tanks close to the Orne River. Jeep destroyed by German shellfire; badly wounded in the leg. Operation at British field hospital (45:00), Ross_N_0185_08.mp3 then evacuated by hospital ship to civilian hospital in England. Later at 22 Canadian General Hospital at Bramshot. After about a month he was returned to Canada in the hospial ship Lady Nelson. Anecdotes. Winnipeg; cast on leg for two years. While at hospital he volunteered to work for local military headquarters, then on a review board in Ottawa. Short resume of subsequent career; accepted by Permanent Force. Staff college. (48:00)
Interviewee: Ross, Norman H., b. 1915
Rank: Major-General.
An interview/narrative of Norman H. Ross's experiences during World War II. Major-General Ross served with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Interview took place on July 20 and August 16, 1979.
Interviewer: Main, Chris D.
- In Collection:
- 8 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 45.41117, -75.69812
- Two original sound tape reels (ca. 296 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 4 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- RNH_185
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- April 29, 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 and JF, 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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