Reeves, Ken: my armed forces experiences (February 3, 2005)

Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.

Interviewer: Miller, Bryce

ABSTRACT: Lieutenant Colonel Ken Reeves (Cassette 1) Born in England 1929 into a military family. Moved to Canada in 1943 at the age of 14. Became a member of the militia and then joined the Royal Canadian Regiment in 1946 at the age of 17. Discusses reasons for joining the army. Describes time served with SAS. Commissioned as a second Lieutenant in 1951. Discusses details of training in Wainwright Alberta. Describes transportation to Korea. Arrived in Korea in March 1953. Assigned to B Company in the first Royal Canadian Regiment. Describes daily life as a soldier in Korea, detailing Patrols and other duties. Discusses the implications of fighting a "static war." Explains effects of Static War on moral of troops. Describes war as "Platoon Commander's War" Goes into detail describing events which occurred during the battle for Hill 187, which he was wounded. Explains role of Koreans attached to Commonwealth divisions or, "KATCOMS." Describes roll as Secretary of Officers Mess. Discusses confidence in senior officers as well as other soldiers. Gives reaction to signing of the cease fire. Describes conditions on troop ship during trip home. Criticizes quality of Canadian equipment. (Cassette 2) Finishes discussion on Canadian equipment. Talks about interaction between Canadian soldiers and British and American soldiers. Discusses ideology of the war. Describes impact of the "Forgotten War" stigma and lack of recognition by Canadians of the Korean war.

Interviewee: Reeves, Ken

An interview/narrative of Ken Reeves's experiences during the Korean War. Lieutenant Colonel Reeves served with the Royal Canadian Regiment. Interview took place on February 3, 2005.

In Collection:

• Canadian Military Oral Histories

Contributor

• Miller, Bryce
• Reeves, Ken

Subject

• Canada. Canadian Army. Royal Canadian Regiment
• Military history
• Korean War (1950-1953)

Language

• eng

Date created

• February 3, 2005

Relation

• Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.

Resource type

• Sound

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 3 sound recordings (MP3)

Geographic coverage

• Korea (North)
• Korea (South)

Coordinates

• 36.5, 127.75
• 40, 127

Additional physical characteristics

• Two original audio cassettes in Special Collections.

Physical repository

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Collection

• Canadian Military Oral History Collection

Provider

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Genre

• reminiscences
• oral histories (literary genre)
• sound recordings
• interviews

Archival item identifier

• RK_444

Fonds title

• Military oral history collection

Fonds identifier

• SC141

Is referenced by

• Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection

Date digitized

• November 23, 2012

Technical note

• Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. 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

•  https://doi.org/10.58066/r51y-mw35

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