Norton, Francis H. A.: my Army recollections (August 28, 1987)

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ABSTRACT: Capt. Francis H.A. Norton Canadian Scottish Regiment Norton_F_0111_01.mp3 Born on March 7, 1916 in Victoria, B.C. Attended the University of Guelph where he was a member of the C.O.T.C. for two years following 1934. Employed in Ottawa when war broke out. Eyesight deficiency prevented him from joining the R.C.A.F. Returned to Victoria to the North-Western Creamery, and recounts how the name "Velvet" ice cream was chosen by his father. Joined the militia. After spending some time on kitchen fatigues at summer camp decided that he should take any opportunity for a commission. Sent to Gordon Head Camp for officer training, graduated as a second lieutenant, and spent the following four months as an instructor. Further training at Currie Barracks; promoted to lieutenant. Overseas in fall 1942 after a short period at Debert, N.S. (15:00) Aldershot, Eng. Several courses taken, including one on aircraft recognition in which he excelled to the extent that he was appointed an instructor at Borden, Eng. General comments on life in the U.K. (30:00). Landed in Normandy as a reinforcement officer and went to a holding unit for a few days. Joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment near Falaise. Terrific carnage after the battle. Hard fighting at Calais. Norton_F_0111_02.mp3 Anecdotes. Once had the satisfaction of calling down a rocket-firing Typhoon from the "cab-rank" to destroy a German 88 mm. gun in front of his platoon. Near Leopold Canal he became ill and was evacuated. Convalescent hospital near Colchester. Leave in London and at the University of Oxford. (60:00) Returned to the continent to serve with the occupation forces. For a time worked with Canadian engineer officers commanding a two thousand-man former German Army engineer unit which was employed building leave centres for the occupation troops and tearing down or burning former P.O.W. camps. Returned to Canada in spring 1946. (15:00)

An interview/narrative of Francis H. A. Norton's experiences during World War II. Captain Horton served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Interview took place on August 28, 1987.

Interviewee: Norton, Francis H. A., b. 1916

Rank: Captain.

Interviewer: Torrie, Tom

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 2 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 48.4359, -123.35155
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 75 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • NFHA_111
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • July 13, 2007
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by AN, 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 2007. 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 Norton_F_0111_01.mp3 Public
file details Norton_F_0111_02.mp3 Public