Clive, Clifford David: my Army recollections (July 17, 1986)

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Interviewer: Aylward, Rick

Interviewee: Clive, Clifford David, b. 1915

An interview/narrative of Clifford David Clive's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant-Colonel Clive served with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. Interview took place on July 17, 1986.

ABSTRACT: Lt.-Col. Clifford David Clive Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Clive_C_0032_01.mp3 Born on Jan. 14, 1915 in Neepawa, Man. Worked for a radio manufacturer before the war and in 1939 joined the army as a signalman. Gives his reactions to initial conditions of Army life. Had his first experience with a security clearance, due to the nature of his work. Describes pre-war uniforms and equipment. Arrived overseas after a rough passage in the Aquitania. Comments on his early days in England and the threat of a German invasion. Slated for the abortive invasion of Norway. (10:00) Wireless training at Aldershot; minimum of fifteen words per minute on the Morse key were required. Studied captured German wireless equipment which, in the early days of war, was superior to ours. In Jan. 1941, as a sergeant, was involved in innovative ground-to-air wireless training with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Selected for officer training in Oct. 1941. Sent to a British signals officer cadet training unit and graduated as a lieutenant. Married; describes married life overseas. (25:00) D-Day, feelings of great relief that they were at last going to war. After the capture of Cherbourg he was sent to help the Americans put the French telephone system back in operation. Recalls German sympathizers in Ghent, Belgium when the advance reached that city. (35:00) Clive_C_0032_02.mp3 Describes conditions during the Battle of the Bulge. In Apr. 1945 he escorted the Czech Armoured Brigade to Klatovy in Czechoslovakia. Met members of the Russian Army there. Many groups of Germans wished to surrender to them, including an armoured regiment, as well as a few who had to be persuaded! (45:00) Arrived back in Canada in July 1945. Civilian life seemed quiet and adjustment was difficult. In 1949 he joined the Scots Fusiliers of Canada, a militia infantry unit converted to artillery. Attended the militia command and staff course. Promoted to lieutenant-colonel. Retired in 1957. (50:00)

Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 2 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic Coverage Coordinates
  • 49, 0
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 60 min.) ; 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical Repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • CCD_032
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 18, 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

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file details Clive_C_0032_01.mp3
file details Clive_C_0032_02.mp3