Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.

An interview/narrative of Finlay Angus Morrison's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison served with the South Saskatchewan Regiment. Interview took place on February 2, 1985.

ABSTRACT: Lieut.-Col. Finlay Angus Morrison South Saskatchewan Regiment Morrison_F_0109_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born on Dec. 15, 1917 in Saskatchewan to a farm family. Apprenticed as a pharmacist. In 1940 on a diploma course at the University of Saskatchewan. C.O.T.C. Graduated in 1942. Officer training at Gordon Head Camp. Overseas as a reinforcement officer of the South Saskatchewan Regiment. After an interview in Apr. 1944 was selected as an aide de camp to Gen. Crerar, the commander of 1 Canadian Army. (20:00) Reported in mid-May as one of two A.D.C.'s, one of whom handled the social (or "outside") aspects and one the tactical (or "inside") aide duties. To Normandy on D + 10 to establish the tactical headquarters. Col. Morrison began as social aide, but in two months became tactical aide. Describes accommodation: caravans and tents. Relations became somewhat strained between Gen. Crerar and Gen. Montgomery in the period before the Canadian Army command was properly established. Crerar was far more reserved than Montgomery. Part of Morrison's duty was to brief Gen. Crerar on the tactical situation at 6:30 every morning. Much time spent visiting units, down to battalion size. (35:00) Aides were required to be very familiar with the requirements of protocol. Descriptive anecdote. (45:00) Morrison_F_0109_02.mp3 Gen. Crerar was in the habit of writing full reports on all aspects of his affairs in the army. Also some tension between Gen. Crerar and Lieut.-Gen. Guy Simonds. Col. Morrison spent much of his time bringing situation maps up to date. After the war he suspected that Gen. Crerar would have liked to be the first Canadian Governor-General. (15:00) Comments on the tactical and static headquarters of the Canadian Army. In fall 1944 Simonds became acting army commander for a few weeks. Very different atmosphere. Comments on various personalities. Sure that Montgomery attempted to have Crerar removed as army commander, but hard evidence lacking. (35:00) Infantry reinforcement of much concern and Crerar did his best to apply pressure on the Canadian government. Composition of the tactical headquarters mess which was usually housed in a large tent; not a very social mess, always business. (46:00) Morrison_F_0109_03.mp3 (Side 2) Discussion of pictures in photo album, important visitors. Returned to Canada. Remained an A.D.C. until Gen. Crerar retired in Apr. 1946. The General made a cross-country tour in Jan. that year which was very successful. Both people and the press gave him a good reception. (13:00)

Interviewee: Morrison, Finlay Angus, b. 1917

Interviewer: Roy, Reginald H.

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Morrison, Finlay Angus, b. 1917
• Roy, Reginald H.

Subject

• World War (1914-1918)
• Military history
• World War (1939-1945)
• Personal narratives--Canadian

Language

• eng

Date created

• February 2, 1985

Relation

• Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.

Resource type

• Sound

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 3 sound recordings (MP3)

Geographic Coverage

• France--Normandy

Coordinates

• 49, 0

Additional physical characteristics

• One original sound tape reel (ca. 105 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.

Physical Repository

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Collection

• Canadian Military Oral History Collection

Provider

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Genre

• reminiscences
• interviews
• sound recordings
• oral histories (literary genre)

Archival item identifier

• MFA_109

Fonds title

• Reginald Herbert Roy fonds

Fonds identifier

• SC104

Is referenced by

• Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds

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

•  https://doi.org/10.58066/vtwk-ax89

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