Drover, Lee: my armed forces recollections (November 13, 2008)

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Interviewer: Gillam, Nicola

Interviewee: Drover, Leander, b. 1938

ABSTRACT: Lee Drover Drover_L_0573_01.mp3 - Motivations to join airborne - Experience in Europe during Cold War - Family tradition in the army - Reputation of the airborne - Lack of political control of airborne - Training techniques - Relationships formed with fellow soldiers - Experience in Cyprus - Lack of skill shown by United Nations (10-minute mark) - Canada's relationship with the United Nations - Memory of a Thanksgiving in Cyprus - Time period in the 1980s when military went down in skill - Experiences in jumping of out planes - Airborne was such an efficient group led to fear in Canadian government - Stamina of airborne soldiers (20-minute mark) - Jungle training technique - Green Beret comparison - Lack of training of soldier put into Afghanistan - Spineless Canadian leaders - Thoughts of Pierre Trudeau - Reason for leaving Canadian Airborne - Thoughts on what Barack Obama can do for America - Experience after being with the Airborne - still involved with the Canadian military - Discussion of Kyle Brown in regards to the incident in Somalia - Thoughts on Clayton Matchee's attempted suicide - Relationships with Commanding Officers who were in Somalia - Weak link of Chief Warrant Officer (30-minute mark) - Discussion of novel Scapegoat - Lack of control of soldiers in Somalia - Way in which Canadian government treats veterans in Canada - Way in which Canadian leaders handle Canada and Human Rights - Changes needed in system and world society - Canadian military in Afghanistan and Iraq - Children in military (40-minute mark) - Relationship with children and grandchildren - Supportive of Canadian troops in Afghanistan - Pride in being an airborne member - How they have been treated since Somalia - Lack of funds for veterans - Ways in which Canadian government needs airborne for protection of nation - How young generation of Canada must realise the change needed in Canada - Opinion on conscription and conscription of women (50-minute mark) - Important aspect of bonds with fellow soldiers - Family bond with men, "blood brothers" - Protection of nations' youth - Truth in reputation of the airborne - End of interview 0:56:327

An interview/narrative of Lee Drover's experiences during the Canadian Airborne Regiment's deployment to Cyprus and Somalia. Interview took place on November 13, 2008.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 39.76, -98.5
  • 35, 33
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • DL_573
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • October 1, 2009
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in 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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