Wightman, Cyril Marrott: my Army recollections (February 8, 1983)
Interviewer: Falconer, Cameron
An interview/narrative of Cyril Marrott Wightman's experiences during World War II. Colonel Wightman served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Interview took place on February 8, 1983.
Rank: Colonel.
ABSTRACT: Col. Cyril Marrott Wightman Canadian Scottish Regiment Wightman_C_0144_01.mp3 Born on Nov. 26, 1904 in England. Family emigrated to Calgary in 1912 and, after his father was wounded overseas with the 103rd Battalion, C.E.F., moved to Victoria in 1917. At age sixteen went to work for Western Canada Radio. In 1926 he joined the advertising department of the Daily Colonist. Two years previously he had joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment as a rugby player! Moved up through the ranks to a commission in 1928. A major by 1938. Called up on Sept. 1, 1939. Amalgamation of the two battalions of the regiment produced one battalion for overseas service and one for reinforcements. Reverted to the rank of captain in order to remain in the 1st Battalion and proceed overseas. Returning to the prewar period, he notes that officers purchased not only their uniforms, but their side arms as well. A large unit, the Canadian Scottish Regiment had as many as four hundred all ranks. Comments on the association with the Royal Scots of the British army. The 1930's were a busy time: trained two nights per week plus one evening for rugby practice and, if one was attending course for promotion, two or three of the remaining evenings were taken up. Militia camps were originally held at Beacon Hill Park, then at Maple Bay and other Vancouver Island locations. (25:00) Great esprit de corps cultivated in the prewar unit. He believes that this was invaluable when war came. Discusses the size and composition of the battalion. World War II tactics a complete change from those used in prewar training. (45:00) Wightman_C_0144_02.mp3 The restricted officer-man relationship more relaxed under wartime field conditions. Mentions Debert, N.S. where they joined the 7th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. Overseas, Aldershot, rations, barracks. More realistic training, including amphibious. General conditions in Britain. (30:00) Pre-invasion briefings. Exercises with live ammunition. Wightman was second-in-command of the battalion on D-Day and explains some of his responsibilities (45:00). No further account beyond D-Day is given. (Possibly incorrect account of the "torpedoing" of the troopship Stratheden [W.S.T.])
Interviewee: Wightman, Cyril Marrott, b. 1904
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 90 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- WCM_144
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- December 5, 2008
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 32 kHz. Digitized by HC, 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 2008. 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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