Leir, Richard H.: my Naval experiences (November 17, 2005)
PublicAn interview/narrative of Richard Hugh Leir's experiences during World War II as a prisoner of war. Rear-Admiral Leir served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on November 17, 2005.
Interviewer: Goertzen, Judith
Rank: Rear Admiral.
ABSTRACT: Rear Admiral Richard Leir (Tape 1, Side 1) (000) Introduction and background, beginning as a midshipman. Training in Dartmouth Royal Naval College, England. Went to sea in 1940 in HMS Nelson which included Australians, New Zealanders and Royal Indians because the British fleet were the only ones with ships large enough for this kind of training. Joined the HMS Prince of Wales which helped sink the Bismarck. Traveled to the Mediterranean and saw some action. In 1941 was sent to Far East to fight against the Japanese. Ship was sunk and Leir was sent to Singapore where he was picked up to serve with the cruiser 'Exeter.' (060) Battle of the Java Sea and the sinking of the Exeter. Debate over the sharks or the Japanese. Leir chooses the Japanese and finds their treatment of him to be good on board the rescue ship. Because of his Canadian skills as a forester he is elected 'Gunkan' meaning "battleship, or leader." Leir was required to lead over 50 men who were not only older than him but of higher serving station. Stay of one and one-half years at a camp on Sulawesi, formerly known as Celebes. Talks about the very high rate of disease and the fact that the mosquitoes, for some reason, did not bite him. Others suffered horribly from disease. Worked in a nickel mine until it was bombed by Allied Forces. (160) Sumatra. Leir worked in a fuel refinery which was also blown up by the Allied Forces and describes his journey home after the war ended. Awarded the Memorial Cross by the Canadian government who thought he had died when the Exeter went down. (Tape 1, Side 2) (000) Description of the events surrounding the award of the Memorial Cross and more description of POW life on Sulawesi including Leir's explanation of why some survived when others did not. (120) Escape attempts and Japanese brutality. Also an in-depth description of the main focus of all POWs: FOOD. Funny anecdotal stories about extra rations (bats and bananas) and the consumption of Castor oil that was supposed to be for fuelling engines. Continuation of his career and service of 41 years eventually making Rear-Admiral.
Interviewee: Leir, Richard H.
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 35.68536, 139.75309
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- LRH_527
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- July 30, 2012
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. 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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