Interview with Clive Milner (February 22, 2022)

Interviewer: James Coe Interviewee: Clive Milner An interview/narrative of Clive Milner's experiences serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. Interview took place on February 22, 2022 over a video call. ABSTRACT: Clive Milner begins by discussing his childhood and how he joined the Canadian Armed Forces. He discusses his first impressions of both the Island of Cyprus itself and its inhabitants. Similarities and differences between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots are highlighted by Milner. Milner explains his military duties and gives a background to conflicts in Cyprus as well as the possibility of violence. When stationed in Cyprus peacekeepers stay occupied and maintain morale through various physical activities and a sense of camaraderie that emerges. During Milner’s time in Cyprus, he recalls various memorable events that occurred such as his experience raising the new Canadian flag and celebrating Christmas in Cyprus. Milner concludes the interview by reflecting on Cyprus and his military career more broadly. 0:43 - 3:15 - Childhood and Coming to Canada. 3:15 - 4:18 - Joining the Armed Forces. 4:18 - 9:04 - Deploying to Cyprus and First Impressions. 9:04 - 11:40 - Interactions with Greek and Turkish Cypriots, similarities and differences. 11:40 - 16:40 - Military duties and armaments. 16:40 - 19:56 - Conflict and causes: EOKA hiding weapons, livestock and land disputes. 19:56 - 26:00 - Maintaining Morale: developing a camaraderie and contacting home. 26:00 - 31:57 - Memories of Cyprus: the death of Winston Churchill, raising Canada’s new flag, entertainment, Christmas and “Moose Milk.” 31:57 - 34:51 - Thoughts when leaving Cyprus. 34:51 - 38:04 - Lessons learnt from Cyprus and their utility. 38:04 - 40:30 - Concluding a military career and decorations obtained. 40:30 - 42:50 - Final comments, unfair criticism of Canadian peacekeepers in Cyprus.

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Milner, Clive
• Coe, James

Subject

• Personal narratives
• Peacekeeping forces
• Personal narratives--Canadian
• United Nations. Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus
• Soldiers
• E.O.K.A. (Cyprus)
• Peacekeeping forces, Canadian
• Military morale
• Milner, Clive
• Military history
• Cypriots
• Cyprus Crisis (Cyprus : 1963)

Language

• eng

Identifier

• Interview #SC141_MC_892

Keyword

• The Canadian Forces Decoration
• Meritorious Service Cross
• Blueberry Camp
• Order of Military Merit
• EOKA
• Enosis
• Canada’s new flag
• Squadron Liaison Officer
• The green line/buffer zone, Hilarion Castle
• Clive Milner
• Force Commander
• Cypriot National Guard
• UNFICYP 1964
• Nicosia
• Cyprus
• Turks
• Cypriots
• Greek
• Scout cars
• Kyrenia
• General Georgios Grivas

Date created

• February 22, 2022

Relation

• Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews (HIST 426, Spring 2022).

Resource type

• Moving Image

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 00:43:51

Alternative title

• Canadian Peacekeeping: The Cyprus Conflict

Geographic coverage

• Cyprus

Coordinates

• 35, 33

Physical repository

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

Collection

• Canadian Military Oral History Collection

Provider

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

Genre

• video recordings (physical artifacts)
• reminiscences
• oral histories (literary genre)
• interviews

Archival item identifier

• Accession Number: 2022-020; Series: II; Item: 892

Fonds title

• Military Oral History collection

Fonds identifier

• SC141

Is referenced by

• Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection

Date digitized

• February 22, 2022

Technical note

• Interview done through a Zoom video call, MP4, 1,317,409 KB. Metadata by KD.

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/10.58066/4h12-n731