George, Robert Earl: my experience as a Canadian military attaché in Japan (March 10, 2014)
PublicInterviewee: George, Robert Earl
Interviewer: Taylor, Sarah
Rank: Vice Admiral.
ABSTRACT: Narrator: George, Robert Earl, 1940-. Title My experience as a Canadian military attaché in Japan. Interviewer: Interviewed by Sarah Taylor. Extent 1 sound recording (AIFF Format Sound) 1:32:53, 939MB Interview Date and Location 10 March 2014, Oak Bay BC. Synopsis The interview begins with Vice Admiral George describing growing up in Vancouver, and his family history , followed by recollections of his time in the ROTP program and his reasons for enlisting. He describes his training in the ROTP program, which included pre fleet training in Halifax, followed by his first ship posting on HMCS Saskatchewan. Vice Admiral George then describes his subsequent postings including his work at the program generation centre for Iroquois class destroyers in Ottawa. He discusses being selected in 1979 to become the naval attaché in Japan and the language and photography training he underwent to prepare for the posting. Vice Admiral George then describes his experiences travelling and filing reports while in Japan as well his experience living in Japan and the role his spouse played in diplomatic events. He also details his post attaché career, which included postings as an Admiral on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. He describes the importance of building a long term relationship with the Japanese, as well as his interaction with Japanese civilians and the special trips arranged for attachés. Vice Admiral George also discusses the history of the Canadian embassy in Japan, the safety level while living in Japan, and whether any restrictions were placed on his ability to travel around Japan as an attaché. He concludes by outlining the responsibilities and the importance of the Canadian military attaché in Japan and reflects on his relationship with the home country’s liaisons. Log 0:00 – 17:43 – Introduction, description of early life, family history, ROTP program, reasons for enlisting, and training. 17:44 – 24:59 – First posting to ship on HMCS Saskatchewan, and subsequent postings. 25:00 – 27:59 – Postings at program generation centre for Iroquois class destroyers in Ottawa, Executive Officer of HMCS Skeena. 28:00 - 31:43 - Comparison of ship systems being designed and existing systems. 31:44 - 37:32- Becoming a naval attaché including annual assessment, and training. 37:33 – 43:58 - Travelling and reporting while in Japan. 43:59-51:14 - Life in Japan, role of spouse in visits, concerns about the effect the attaché position might have on future career and maintaining relationship with Japan. 51:15 – 54:57 - Description of postings after Japan including posting as Admiral on Pacific then Atlantic coast, and long term relationship with the Japanese. 54:58 – 1:11:28 - Interactions with civilians in Japan, description of additional attaché duties and background information about becoming a naval attaché. 1:11:29 – 1:21:05– Discussion of civilians working at the embassy including history of embassy, comparison of civilian and attaché duties, the safety level of living in Japan, and special permissions for travelling. 1:21:06 -1:29:13 - Responsibilities of Canadian attaché in Japan, and the importance of the role of the Canadian attaché in Japan. 1:29:14 – 1:32:53 - Treatment by home country liaisons and conclusion, signing of release form. Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 27:42 – 31:43 - Work on developing and designing new computer system. 1:27:13 – 1:29:13 – Description of the importance of the role of the Canadian Forces Attaché in Japan. Subject Key Words Canadian Forces attaché, Canadian naval attaché, HMCS Saskatchewan, ROTP program, pre fleet training, program generation centre for Iroquois class destroyers, Japan, Japanese civilians, interaction with; Canadian embassy in Japan, Sado Islands, travelling in Japan, civilian employees at Canadian embassy, military attaché, duties of; military attaché, importance of.
An interview/narrative of Vice Admiral Robert Earl George's experience as a Canadian military attaché in Japan. Interview took place on March 10, 2014.
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 35.68536, 139.75309
- Original sound recording (AIFF) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- GRE_810
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 10, 2014
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2014. 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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