Landymore, William Moss: my Navy recollections (April 15, 1984, and February 17, 1986)
PublicInterviewer: Lawrence, Hal
Rank: Rear Admiral. Medals and Honours: Order of the British Empire; Mentioned in Despatches
ABSTRACT: R/Admiral William M. Landymore Royal Canadian Navy (Cassette 1, Side 1) Joined the militia - passed senior matric, accepted at RMC, 1934. (Lawrence says his father was CSMI - Company Sergeant Major Instructor at that time). Trained two summers with the RCNVR then sent as a Naval Cadet to England. Returns to an account of his RCNVR time, sea training in the second year. At RMC he experienced some hazing in his recruit year but not as bad as some, due to his being athletic (football team, etc.). Recruits worked for senior cadets and Landymore found it a great learning experience. To the UK and the training cruiser HMS Frobisher. The cadet Gunner in Frobisher, Mr. Margot, a miserable man. A difficult cruise to the West Indies (much sickness). A very mixed bag, including Indians and Chinese, New Zealanders, Australian and Canadians. RN had a world reputation for cadet training with very carefully selected officers in charge. As a Midshipman, joined HMS Emerald (cruiser) in the East Indies (Ceylon). An easier time of it than in the Home Fleet where everyone was constantly on the alert. (in case an Admiral went by!) Describes a naval rest camp in the hills of Ceylon. (1937) Crews required a break from the extremely hot condition aboard ship and so part could spend two weeks in the camp. Midshipmen actually spent the whole two months there, during a refit. Nothing to do but drill a small colour guard and play sports. They did teach musketry when various drafts from the ship attended camp. Were hosts to the cadets from a German cadet cruiser (the Emden). More sports and splendid singing by the Germans. The work of the Emerald was extremely social, at every British stop, or colony, people had to be entertained at cocktails or a dance. Midshipman worked hard at their studies as well. In 1938 because of Jewish/Arab troubles in Palestine, HMS Emerald landed armed parties. Landymore's platoon blocked a road leading to Haifa. (Cassette 1, Side 2) Returned to Canada on leave and then to HMS Glasgow (cruiser) in the Home Fleet. Sent to Pompeii (Portsmouth). Sub-Lieutenant courses at Whale Island. Enquiries as to an appointment to a ship were not forthcoming and with money running short he applied to the Admiralty. Appointed to HMS Windsor (destroyer) old but had been an escort destroyer for the Royal Yacht, many of the crew were Royal Yacht sailors and extremely well behaved (there were no defaulters). Convoy work until March 1940 when he was found by the RCN and returned to Canada. Appointed to HMCS Fraser (destroyer). Patrols in the West Indies until France began to fall, then to Plymouth. Evacuated troops from Saint-Jean-de-Luz on the Spanish border. Supposed to have taken Vanier (our ambassador to France but believed to have transported him to another ship. At least Vanier was not aboard when Fraser was sunk in a collision with the cruiser HMS Calcutta. Fraser's bridge, including Landymore, ended up on Calcutta's bow. Soon appointed to HMCS Restigouche (destroyer) as Navigator. Convoy work. Appointed HMCS Margaree (destroyer) being refitted in London, where they were bombed (near misses). Anecdotes later in a convoy Margaree cut in half by the merchant ship Port Fairy (Oct. 1940). A good account of the sinking. Afterwards to HMCS Naden brushing up the navigation skills of some RCNR Officers. Back to England to do a Long Gunnery Course and then appointed to HMS Belfast (cruiser) on the Denmark Strait patrol with HMS Sheffield (cruiser) (Cassette 2, Side 1) Some time working up after serious mine (or bomb) damage. Then gunnery officer to the 25th Flotilla (destroyers), he admits to a mistake, Landymore was in the Flotilla before going to HMS Belfast. Good basic education in six inch cruisers. Joined HMCS Uganda under Capt. Rollo Mainguy, refitting in Charleston, NC all except the electronics that were fitted in Newcastle on Tyne. To the Pacific War with the RN. Bombarded two Islands (Trok and Sakishima) and offered protection for the aircraft carriers. "Volunteering" for continuing the Pacific war. Explains his own rationale, not even upset by it. The crew were incensed about being asked and voted to return to Canada. In discussion he pointed out that Japan was virtually beaten, bombers couldn't find good targets. About six weeks later the war ended. A pity no naval officers on active service couldn't be at the surrender. (Cassette 3, Side 1) British Pacific Fleet formed one task group and the Americans three more, possibly the largest combined fleet ever assembled. (est. 65 miles of sea, side to side). Eventually targets became very difficult to find. This may have had some influence on the "volunteers" vote in HMCS Uganda that forced the ship to return to Canada. Considers it very unfortunate that the Canadian Navy was not among the victors at the Japanese surrender. Uganda became a training cruiser, no longer able to do battle. Later ashore on the staff of Warfare and Training. Naval Staff College and later the joint Services Staff College. Returned as Director of Manning. Agrees that the "Korean War was the salvation of the Canadian Navy" The government had just previously cut the Navy to 7,500 officers and men, cut to the bone. Completely revised when Korea broke out. Large new entry many of whom were unsuitable. Landymore commanded HMCS Iroquois twice to Korea. Patrols up the west coast with some bombardment. Supported South Korean reservists defending islands with American advisors and could provide full support very quickly. (Cassette 3, Side 2) "Train bashing" on the east coast, where Iroquois was hit once by enemy artillery. Sailed into North Korea to pick up refugees. Comments on a speech Landymore made about the recent history of Korea and how the population were virtual slaves of the Japanese. (compares it to the German atrocities ending both was a good result of war). After Korea, was sent to the Imperial Defence College in the UK. (Cassette 4, Side 1) Became Captain of HMCS Bonaventure (light fleet carrier) and here was able to increase the number of aircraft in the air patrols (24 hrs) four fold. Participated in the rescue of a downed US aircraft in the Atlantic. Comments that Bonaventure was the most valuable asset that the RCN had and it was scrapped! Later became Flag Officer Pacific Coast. Discusses integration as initiated by the Minister Brooke Claxton which he does not consider to be a good thing at all. Claxton integrated headquarters staff as well as ranks which caused endless trouble. "It was the most unwieldy, unsatisfactory, idiotic move that was ever made because it didn't make any sense at all". A very messy re-organization. Unification partly initiated by flag officers (and others) quietly resigning rather than combining to oppose it. Details of the way that many good officers chose to resign. Paul Hellyer the Minister rode roughshod over many careers. Lack of support by the Prime Minister (Pearson) was a major factor in allowing unification to take place. Landymore considers Pearson to have been weak and untruthful. Claims that the RCN couldn't be legally challenged except by Parliament. Despite this, Unification took place and Landymore sent his papers to Alec Douglas (at DND). Comment on Nigel Brodeur's remarks to the Minister in Halifax and the near riot it caused!
Interviewee: Landymore, William Moss, b. 1916
An interview/narrative of William M. Landymore's experiences during World War II. Rear Admiral Landymore served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on April 15, 1984 and February 17, 1986.
- In Collection:
- 7 sound recordings (MP3)
- 35.68536, 139.75309
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Original sound recordings on four audio cassettes also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- LWM_260
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/hal-lawrence-collection
- April 18, 2013
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2013. 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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