Lorimer, J. Duncan: my Army recollections (March 6, 1983)
PublicInterviewee: Lorimer, J. Duncan, b. 1919
Rank: Captain.
Interviewer: Falconer, Cameron
ABSTRACT: Capt. J. Duncan Lorimer Canadian Scottish Regiment Lorimer_J_0092_01.mp3 Born on Nov. 22, 1919 near Calgary. At the age of two moved to Sooke, near Victoria. Joined the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment in 1936 at age sixteen, becoming a piper. Went "active" when the war started in 1939 and, after a few months, became a full-time medical orderly. Comments on training and sports in the pre-war militia. Housed at the Bay St. Armouries and various camps on southern Vancouver Island, (20:00) then sent to Debert, N.S. where the camp was in very poor physical condition. Civilians in Truro, N.S. were very good to the troops. Overseas in Aug. 1941 to Aldershot and Horsham, Eng. Eventually selected for a commission. In Jan. 1943 posted to the O.C.T.U. in Gordon Head, Victoria. After graduating as a second lieutenant he remained an instructor for four months. Returned overseas in Dec. 1943 as a supernumerary officer in the battalion and was then posted to a reinforcement unit. (35:00) Just prior to D-Day they were locked in a camp near West Ham, then transported to London to sail to Normandy, arriving on D + 1. (Returns to comment on England and the very good relationship with British friends.) (45:00) Lorimer_J_0092_02.mp3 In Normandy he was sent to a reinforcement unit and subsequently, for about three weeks, to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. Subjected to heavy mortar attacks they attempted to take three-man patrols behind enemy lines. Bombing of Caen. Joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment on July 1, 1944. Experience with a French family. Wounded during an attack on Rots on July 8. Good morale of troops. Gave himself a shot of morphine after being hit, then was nearly run over by a German tank. Taken out by jeep ambulance to an advance dressing station where he was operated upon, then by air to hospital in England. Out of hospital in about a month. Due to the shortage of infantry officers he was sent to retrain Army Service Corps officers as infantry. Had to return to hospital, then back to Canada. Served in Petawawa. Discharged in June 1945. Considers army rations in Normandy to have been very good. Comments on his three brothers who also served in the Canadian Scottish Regiment during the war. (23:00)
An interview/narrative of J. Duncan Lorimer's experiences during World War II. Captain Lorimer served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Interview took place on March 6, 1983.
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 70 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- LJD_092
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- June 14, 2007
- 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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