Burton, John Francis: my Army recollections (January 12, 1984)

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ABSTRACT: Lt.-Col. John Francis Burton Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (2nd Armoured Regiment) Burton_J_0010_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born on Apr. 24, 1920 in Winnipeg, Man. Educated at high school in Vancouver, B.C. Experienced prewar militia service in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (R.C.A.S.C.) and in the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (S.H.C.) where he was commissioned in 1938 as a second lieutenant. Mobilized with the S.H.C. in 1939. Trained in Canada until he was twenty years of age when he went overseas as a reinforcement officer. (15:00) Recounts lack of uniforms and equipment, comments on recruiting. Passing through a reinforcement unit near Aldershot, he rejoined the S.H.C. in Sept. 1940 at a camp east of Reigate. Tells of the Battle of Britain, improved infantry weapons, many night exercises, coastal defence near Brighton. (30:00) Burton_J_0010_02.mp3 As a rap on the knuckles from higher authority (details not provided) Burton was transferred to the R.C.A.S.C., first to a petrol company, then to an ammunition company. An unhappy experience which, when the opportunity arose, led him to apply for a transfer to the Armoured Corps. (35:00) In June 1942 he joined Lord Strathcona's Horse (L.S.H.). Shortage of tanks: only four or five Lee or Grant tanks per squadron. They were later issued with Canadian Ram tanks which eventually became armoured personnel carriers: Ram Kangaroos (as distinct from Priest Kangaroos). In the fall of 1943 the regiment moved to Italy where it acquired the well-used Sherman tanks and other vehicles of the 7th Armoured Division (the British "Desert Rats".) (45:00) Expresses his feelings on first going into action in support of a brigade of the 4th Indian Division near Ortona. Comments that Indian officers lived and dined well even in a war zone. Outstanding rapport between Indian troops and British officers (one per company). (15:00) Burton_J_0010_03.mp3 Here he experienced his first independent command as a troop commander. March 1944, discusses training and preparation for battle in the Liri Valley, Hitler Line. They discovered how dangerous it was to carry extra ammunition and also how to evacuate a tank very smartly. Feelings and conditions when in action in a tank: one became careful. He admired the great efficiency of the German troops. They tended not to fire on dismounted tank crews -- a nice touch. (30:00) Discusses tank losses, leave centres, Italian civilians. In Oct. 1944 he became Commanding Officer of a training squadron at Perugia. Returned to the regiment when they moved to France. In action again in early Apr. 1945 in Holland. Comments on the German fighting spirit which they retained right to the end. Dutch collaborators treated roughly by their peers. (45:00) Occupied Frisian Islands. Sent on course to the Armoured School at Bovington to qualify for promotion. Returned to Holland in July 1945. Some problems with dissatisfied troops anxious to return to Canada. Classroom education was a partial answer. Joined Occupation Force. Returned to Canada in Feb. 1946. (Side 2) Describes regimental peacetime duties. Attended Staff College in 1953. As a staff officer he served in the Arctic and in Norway. In 1961 commanded a squadron of the L.S.H. in Egypt (United Nations forces). In 1967 he was a member of the United Nations Observer Group in Kashmir. Served at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. Retired in 1971. (02:00)

An interview/narrative of John Francis Burton's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant-Colonel Burton served with Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (2nd Armoured Regiment). Interview took place on January 12, 1984.

Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.

Interviewee: Burton, John Francis, b. 1920

Interviewer: Witzel, Morgen

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 3 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 94 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
  • BJF_010
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 10, 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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