Wilkins, Ronald Edward: my Army recollections (May 19 - June 16, 1984)
Interviewer: Bell, Chris
Interviewee: Wilkins, Ronald Edward, b. 1913
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.
An interview/narrative of Ronald Edward Wilkins's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilkins, O.B.E. served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on May 19, June 2, 9 and 16, 1984.
ABSTRACT: Lt.-Col. Ronald Edward Wilkins, O.B.E. Royal Canadian Engineers Wilkins_R_0145_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Born on Dec. 17, 1913 in Vancouver, B.C. Spent most of his early years in the Okanagan and was educated there to the senior matriculation level. Entered Royal Military College in Kingston in 1931. The first, or recruit, year was extremely tough. Subjected to considerable hazing which was partly justified as the application of stress to future officers. (20:00) The remaining three years were excellent. Discusses Commandants, Generals Elkins and Matthews. After R.M.C. spent one year at Queens University to obtain an engineering degree. Of a class of twelve, seven were from R.M.C. (36:00) At the time considered himself lucky to have been accepted into the regular army, a good job for a young man during the Depression. Was appointed Works Officer at Work Point Barracks in Esquimalt. Pre-war equipment held by the Engineers was old and primitive. Main occupation was to oversee civilian contractors constructing coastal defences in the Victoria area. (45:00) Wilkins_R_0145_02.mp3 A comfortable life for a young man. Comments on pre-war politicians and on post-war proliferation of government services which he feels now sap Canadian vitality. (26:00) Wilkins_R_0145_03.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) Some repetition, R.M.C., Queens, engineering students, etc. Returns to a discussion of the construction of coast defence works. (32:00) Life in the Officers' Mess at Work Point included dressing for dinner five times per week. Thought about an army career. (45:00) Wilkins_R_0145_04.mp3 General political discussion. (10:00) Service wives. Career prospects. (21:00) On the outbreak of war finding accommodation for the troops was a priority, including mainland B.C. Posted to Sydney, N.S. on coast defence construction. Slated for the cancelled Canadian occupation of Iceland. Promoted to major and an Engineer staff officer in Halifax. Canadian army staff college in 1941. (35:00) Appointed G.S.O. 3 (General Staff Officer, Grade III) at headquarters 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade in England, then G.S.O.II at 1st Canadian Army headquarters. Discusses Brig. (later Maj.-Gen.) Worthington: great at training, but a bit eccentric. (50:00) Wilkins_R_0145_05.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Impressions of Italian people in 1944. Returns to comments on 1st Canadian Army Headquarters where he was involved with organizing training exercises for the Engineers. (10:00) Did not get on with the C.R.E. (Commander, Royal Engineers) then Lieut.-Col. Geoffrey Walsh. Training concentrated on bridging, mine clearance, and roads until they became almost second nature. Posted as officer commanding 3rd Field Company (1st Canadian Infantry Division). Spent a few months in 1943 as a staff officer at Allied headquarters in Algiers. Promoted to Lt.-Col. and C.R.E. 1st Canadian Corps Troops in Italy. (30:00) Bridging and lifting mines were the main battle tasks. Points out that Corps Troops undertook somewhat heavier engineering tasks than regular field companies. Wilkins_R_0145_06.mp3 Gustav Line, 1944. Monte Cassino. (45:00) Discusses German Schue and Teller mines. Heavy fighting at the Gothic Line and elsewhere. Comments on command structure and administration. North-west Europe in 1945. (25:00) Crossed the Rhine. War ends while in England. (30:00) Wilkins_R_0145_07.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 2) Army of occupation. C.R.E. (Works) in Oldenburg. Restored communications and utilities, including an ice plant brought from Bremen, for a skating rink on specific orders of Maj.-Gen. Vokes. Considerable use made of German contractors who were excellent. Non-fraternization was a very low-key problem. (20:00) Occupation Force unit was small, but with a very high proportion of experts. Returned to Canada in 1946. Commandant of the School of Military Engineering at Chilliwack. Major disagreement with Maj.-Gen. Worthington, G.O.C. Western Command, which caused dissatisfaction. Wilkins_R_0145_08.mp3 Returned to Ottawa for a short time to a routine job. Left the army in 1947 to a succession of civilian engineering positions, the last, before retirement, in Victoria. Personal and family comments. (36:00)
- In Collection:
- 8 sound recordings (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Two original sound tape reels (ca. 330 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 4 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- WRE_145
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- December 17, 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
