Ellis, Martin Henry: my Navy recollections (September 1, and 3, 1982)

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ABSTRACT: Capt. Martin Henry Ellis Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Canadian Navy Ellis_M_0051_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born on Oct. 15, 1900 in Exbury, England where his father was rector of the parish church. Went to boarding and public school, then Oxford where he took a history degree and rowed for his college. Taught at Westminster School in London for four years, then in 1926 he emigrated to Canada where, in Alberta, he tried his hand at ranching. To Vancouver Island where he taught at Shawnigan Lake School. Headmaster at Brentwood College from 1932 until the war. Joined the Navy Supplementary Reserve in 1938. (20:00) No pay or uniforms until the war began. First appointed to the examination vessel, H.M.C.S. Malaspina, then to H.M.C.S. Sans Peur (armed yacht), In Apr. 1940 posted as an instructor to H.M.C.S. Stadacona in Halifax. Overseas in Jan. 1941 to the long anti-submarine course in Scotland. In July 1941 joined H.M.C.S. Collingwood (Flower class corvette). (45:00) Ellis_M_0051_02.mp3 At Christmas appointed sea-training officer for anti-submarine exercises at Saint Margarets Bay, N.S. In command (as a lieutenant-commander) of a similar organization at Pictou, N.S. Instructor at a command and tactics course in Halifax. Appointed staff officer in H.M.S. Nene (Royal Navy frigate), part of Support Group 5. Support groups were switched from convoy to convoy as enemy action necessitated. Participated in two U-boat sinkings which were blown to the surface and destroyed by gunfire in the first instance and by scuttling in the second. (25:00) Ellis_M_0051_03.mp3 (Side 2) Transferred to H.M.C.S. Waskesiu (frigate). Name changed to Support Group 6. He clarifies reference to attack by "buzz bombs": means glider bombs controlled by aircraft. Small convoy to Murmansk: sixteen escorts to cover three ships. On return trip lost one of six merchant ships. Appointed anti-submarine staff officer in Ottawa. (10:00) Four months later sent to anti-submarine school in H.M.C.S. Cornwallis as a commander. Describes training conditions. After V-E Day applied to be in the instructor branch of the Navy. Two years at Royal Roads. Director of Naval Education, Ottawa, 1947-49. (20:00) Comments on educational requirements for promotion (other ranks). Education officer in H.M.C.S. Magnificent (light fleet carrier) 1949-1951. European cruise. Instructor-captain, Ottawa. Director of Naval Intelligence, 1955-1958. Supplied with and interpreted intelligence reports, largely from foreign sources. Staff of about ten officers plus civilian clerks. Saw a great deal of the foreign naval attaches. Connected with conferences on disarmament. Eyes opened by diplomatic manoeuvres, not very productive in formal sessions, often better "after hours". In London experiences some awkward moments during the Suez crisis. (45:00) Ellis_M_0051_04.mp3 Very general comments of some length on Canadian intelligence services. Retired in 1958. Brief spell with the Defence Research Board. Spent ten years in Spain. (40:00)

Interviewer: Bell, Chris

Interviewee: Ellis, Martin Henry, b. 1900

Rank: Captain.

An interview/narrative of Martin Henry Ellis's experiences during World War II. Captain Ellis served with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on September 1 and 3, 1982.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 4 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 120 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • EMH_051
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • July 7, 2006
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 80 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by SC 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 2006. 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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file details SC141_MilitaryOralHistory_GenericThumbnail Public
file details Ellis_M_0051_01.mp3 Public
file details Ellis_M_0051_02.mp3 Public
file details Ellis_M_0051_03.mp3 Public
file details Ellis_M_0051_04.mp3 Public