Orr, John: my experience as a Canadian Defence Attaché (March 9, 2017)
Rank: Colonel.
ABSTRACT: This audio recording provides an overview of Colonel John Orr’s career in the Canadian military. The interview highlights the start of his career including his education at the Royal Military College, and Air Force training at the Shearwater base in Halifax. The oral history largely focuses on Orr’s career as a Canadian Defence Attaché in Cairo, Egypt with a cross accreditation to the Sudan from 1990-1993. Orr recounts his how his duties had to be adapted to changing circumstances: the Gulf War (1990-1991). It also includes his observations in South Sudan during the second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005). Audio Time Codes 0:00-2:03: His decision to Join the Canadian Forces. 2:03 –3:25 Educational experience at the Royal Military College and Royal Roads Military College. 3:25 – 5:11 Air Force training at the Shearwater Base. 5:28- 10:08 His experience working on the Sea King. 10: 18 -11:52 His promotion to Canadian Defence Attaché. 11:53 -15:04 The attaché selection process. 15:05 – 18:00 Experience in the Attaché training program. 18:07 – 27:06 On Military Relations between Egypt & Canada. 27: 24 – 34:00 His first Week in the role of an Attaché in Cairo. /His relationship with the Embassy staff. 34:07 – 36:00 The Sudanese officials Reaction to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. 36:01 -38:00 Initiation into the attaché Role at the start of the Gulf War. 38:46 -43:00 Attaché duties during the Gulf War. 43:34 -51:00 His relationship with Egyptian Military Officials. 53:00 -55:-08 Meeting with Egyptian Foreign Policy Advisor Osama al-Baz. 55:20–58:00 Attaché Networks: liaising with other countries. 58-:03 - 1:10 On Challenges to obtaining information from the Egyptian military. 1:10:41 – 1:12 On the Soviet Union Attaché. 1:12:25- 1:16:51 The Egyptian Support of the Gulf War. 1:18:02 – 1:20 On Red Sea Patrol and the Egyptian Navy./Impressions of a Restigouche Destroyer. 1:21:00 – 1:28:57 Coordination of a Canadian fleet through the Suez Canal to the Persian Gulf & attending the Bahrain Conference. 1:29:00-1:33:25 Working Under surveillance. 1:41:00-1:52:00 The attaché role in Sudan & his impressions of Sudanese officials. 1:52:15 -2:06:00 A trip to Juba, South Sudan and meeting with the Southern Equatoria government. 2:12:00-2:15:00 His relationship with Sudanese military officials. 2:24:00 –2:35:00 On his role as Chief of Liaison, Multinational Force, Sinai. 2:35:10 – 2:39:00 As author of Perseverance: The Canadian Sea King Story and his opinion on new helicopter procurement. 2:41:50 – 2:43:05- Final words on the attaché program. Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 34:07 – 36:00 The Sudanese officials Reaction to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. 1:18:02 – 1:20 On Red Sea Patrol and the Egyptian Navy./Impressions of a Restigouche Destroyer.
Interviewee: Orr, John
An interview/narrative of John Orr's experiences with the Canadian Armed Forces. Colonel Orr served as a Defence Attaché. Interview took place on March 9, 2017 in Victoria, B.C.
Interviewer: Currie, Heather
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 33.13906, 35.85869
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recordings (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- OJ_848
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 9, 2017
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 181 kbps. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2017. 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
