Clerkson, C. Harold: my Army recollections (August 19, 1980)

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An interview/narrative of C. Harold Clerkson's experiences during World War II. Captain Clerkson, M.C. served with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Interview took place on August 19, 1980.

Interviewee: Clerkson, C. Harold, b. 1921

Interviewer: Thackray, William S.

ABSTRACT: Capt. C. Harold Clerkson, M.C. Royal Canadian Artillery Clerkson_C_0031_01.mp3 Born in 1921 in Broadview, Sask. Joined a militia unit as a young man; summer training at Camp Shilo. Did not experience any shortage of World War I equipment and other supplies. Joined the Canadian Officers Training Corps at the University of Saskatchewan. At the end of his second year (1941) he was accepted into the active force. Commissioned in June 1941. Rejoined his former militia field battery (110th) at Broadview, now mobilized. Debert, N.S. in Aug. 1942 where the 15th Field Regiment was formed. Later in 1942 they went overseas as part of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, taking their new Canadian made twenty-five-pounder guns with them. Aldershot, heavy training schedule. He felt that British rations were good, but better when supplemented by Canadian items, especially on festive occasions. The only heavy equipment required to be issued to the regiment in England were converted Ram tanks for use as armoured observation posts ("O-Pips"). Discusses artillery tactics, emphasizes mobility. (20:00) Comments on lack of 4th Division exercises, although he feels that this had a minimal effect on the artillery. Explains duties of the Gun Position Officer, the Troop Commander, and Forward Observation Officer. (30:00) Details of his landing in Normandy in July. O-Pips explained. Appointed troop commander, engaged as forward observation officer. Experiences during forward movements by infantry and armour. Saw the accidental bombing of our own troops by the Air Force. Describes units supported by the 15th Field Regt. (45:00) Clerkson_C_0031_02.mp3 Comments on the use of smoke shells, both as cover and for locating positions. During the attack on Falaise he and his wireless operator were in support of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (in a jeep or on foot) and the armour (in a Ram O-Pip). Considered the twenty-five-pounder gun a very efficient weapon. (10:00) Falaise was an astonishing fight. Clerkson established his observation post on a hill overlooking the German retreat where he was under heavy attack for two days. The targets before him represented an artilleryman's dream, but he has some reservations about the terrible waste that was the result of his directed shellfire. Fought day and night. Supported Maj. Currie (South Alberta Regiment) in the action in which Currie won the Victoria Cross. (20:00) Some weeks later, near the Leopold Canal while on reconnaissance, his jeep was destroyed and he was badly wounded by a German 88-mm. shell. (30:00) Underwent quick medical evacuation through the system to a large hospital in Dieppe. Canadian medical services were, in his opinion, first class. Evacuated via hospital ship to England at the end of Sept. Shrapnel in the lungs prevented final operations until Jan. 1945 at the Canadian Hospital at Horley, England. Nearly recovered, he spent a week convalescing at Vincent Massey's home in Derbyshire which accommodated about twenty-five officers at a time. Returned to his regiment in June 1945. Enjoyed Holland after the war and returned to England in Jan. 1946. Gives some details of the disbanding of the regiment. Returned to Vancouver. Discharged. (40:00)

Rank: Captain. Medals and Honours: Military Cross (MC)

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
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
  • 49, 0
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 90 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
  • CCH_031
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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