Andrews, Joseph James: my Army recollections (March 8, 1983)

Interviewee: Andrews, Joseph James, 1914-1990

Rank: Major.

ABSTRACT: Maj. Joseph James Andrews The Canadian Scottish Regiment Andrews_J_0012_01.mp3 Born on May 24, 1914 (d. May 21, 1990) in Victoria, B.C. Many personal anecdotes in this account. Family background, parents born in British Columbia. Educated in Victoria and at University of British Columbia (Bachelor of Arts, 1937). Taught school at Ladysmith. Joined The Canadian Scottish Regiment (C.S.R.) (militia) in 1940, became a sergeant, went "active" later that year. Sent to Gordon Head Camp (officer cadet training unit) where commission was obtained. Further training at Currie Barracks, Calgary; first experience with conscripts not unfavourable. Overseas in 1942 as a reinforcement officer. Rejoined the Canadian Scottish eventually to command the mortar platoon. Comments in a general way on training and specifically on the mortar platoon who were mounted in Universal carriers. Recounts serious fight with British sergeant while on a night scheme. Wounded. On D-Day commanded the carrier platoon. (45:00) Andrews_J_0012_02.mp3 Considerable difficulty getting off beach due to vehicle blockages at exits. Eventually found themselves three miles ahead of the main body of the battalion. Experienced heavy fighting throughout Normandy. Later, near Calais, as mortar platoon commander again, single-handedly found and captured a German coast artillery observation post which was directing fire inland. Seven prisoners. Describes the night bombing of Calais and artillery "stonks". Second-in-command of "A" Company during fighting in Breskens Pocket. Describes attack in Buffaloes near Nijmegen and accidental shelling by our own artillery. As the war drew to its end the psychological effect of many casualties became very noticeable: experienced troops were becoming fewer and fewer. Not much fun any more; it became hard work. Now a company commander (major). Explains "left out of battle" (L.O.B.) system. Always somebody to take command. The company sergeant-major was the last member of the Canadian Scottish to be killed (the night before the war ended). After the war Andrews returned to teaching. Spent four or five years with the Canadian Scottish (militia). Commanded the mortar platoon at Sidney despite being a field officer. (45:00)

An interview/narrative of Joseph James Andrews's experiences during World War II. Major Andrews served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Interview took place on March 8, 1983.

Interviewer: Falconer, Cameron

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Falconer, Cameron
• Andrews, Joseph James, 1914-1990

Subject

• World War (1939-1945)
• Operation Overlord
• Canada. Canadian Army
• Military history

Language

• eng

Keyword

• Draftees--Canada
• Gordon Head Army Camp (Victoria, B.C.)
• Canada--National Resources Mobilization Act, 1940
• Canada--Canadian Army--Combat sustainability
• Currie Barracks (Calgary, Alta.)
• Calais, Battle of, Calais, France, 1944
• D-Day, 1944 (Normandy invasion)
• World War, 1939-1945--Psychological aspects Andrews, Joseph James, 1914-1990--Interviews
• Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Scottish Regiment
• World War, 1939-1945--Psychological aspects
• Landing craft
• Andrews, Joseph James, 1914-1990--Interviews
• Breskens Pocket, Battle of, Netherlands, 1944
• Draft--Canada
• Arnhem, Battle of, Arnhem, Netherlands, 1944
• Mortar (Weapon)
• World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, Canadian
• Friendly fire (Military science)
• Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Scottish Regiment--'A' Company
• Nijmegen, Battle of, Netherlands, 1944
• Canada--Canadian Army
• Bombardment--France--Calais
• Morale
• Armored vehicles, Military
• World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--France--Normandy
• Canada--Canadian Army--Drill and tactics
• World War, 1939-1945--Artillery operations, Canadian
• Canada--Canadian Army--Officers--Education
• World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--France--Calais--1944

Date created

• March 8, 1983

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

• France--Normandy
• Canada

Coordinates

• 60.10867, -113.64258
• 49, 0

Additional physical characteristics

• One original sound tape reel (ca. 90 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

• AJJ_012

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

• May 25, 2010

Technical note

• Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 32 kHz. Digitized by 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 2010. 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/s423-fg56

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