Bebbington, Kenneth Martin: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 22, 2011)

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Interviewer: Wood, Jim

An interview/narrative of Kenneth Martin Bebbington's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces. Interview took place on March 22, 2011.

ABSTRACT: Interview began with a brief description of growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan, followed by an explanation of the circumstances that led to enlistment in the Canadian Forces. Description of work at the clay tile plant in Regina. Upon completion of basic training at CFB Cornwallis, Kenneth Bebbington was assigned to helicopter maintenance duties on the HMCS Provider and HMCS Protector. Posted to CFS Alert in the early 1980s. Description of service conditions and recreational pursuits in the Arctic, as well as listening to radio traffic between Canadian and Soviet aircraft. Recalls listening to radio traffic during the Soviet operations in Afghanistan. This was followed by a promotion and assignment to CFS Carp, the Ottawa Diefenbunker, where Bebbington was responsible for the maintenance of communications equipment. As a senior NCO, he also oversaw the “enemy force” element of training exercises intended to test the security and defences of the facility. Describes several of these exercises in detail, the solid construction of the facility, its outdated equipment in the 1980s, and the absence of senior government officials from training exercises. Closes with comments on the closing of CFS Carp, the dismantling of its equipment, and assignment to other duties in CFB Edmonton and Ottawa. Brief follow-up question on the possible effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) on the radio equipment at CFS Carp. 0:00 – 2:10 – Growing up in Regina and circumstances leading to enlistment. 2:10 – 7:07 – Service on HMCS Provider and HMCS Protector. 7:07 – 17:30 – Posting to the Canadian Arctic station at CFS Alert. 17:30 – 24:10 – Discussion of service at CFS Carp. 24:10 – 57:30 – Training exercises to test the Diefenbunker defences. 57:30 – 1:01:45 – Closing of CFS Carp. 1:01:45 – 1:03:40 – Assignment to other duties. 1:03:40 – 1:09:27 – Discussion of EMP; general comments on Diefenbunker.

Interviewee: Bebbington, Kenneth Martin, b. 1947

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 33, 66
  • 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
  • BKM_701
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • March 22, 2011
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. 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 Bebbington_K_0701_01.mp3