Lancaster, Philip Charles: my Army recollections (March 14, 2012)

Public

Downloadable Content


Download audio

Interviewer: Stewart, Meghan

An interview/narrative of Major Philip Lancaster's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces in Africa. Interview took place on March 14, 2012.

Interviewee: Lancaster, Philip Charles, b. 1949

ABSTRACT: Major Lancaster began the interview talking a little bit about his military background and his impressions of Rwanda upon his arrival there in 1994 (which was moved up due to his predecessor’s illness). Major Lancaster then talked about UNAMIR, his duties, and the successes and challenges that he faced personally, as well as those faced by the mission, including morale and supplies. Major Lancaster then spoke about the medical issues that faced Canadian troops in Rwanda, including malaria and PTSD. Following this, Major Lancaster spoke about the challenges UNAMIR faced in upholding the Arusha Accords, Operation Turquoise, and French involvement in the region. He then spoke briefly about General Romeo Dallaire, whose book Shake Hands with the Devil, about Rwanda, has gained international media attention. Major Lancaster then went on to speak about some of the difficulties working with the UN and the challenges that UNAMIR faced during its time in Rwanda because of these difficulties. Major Lancaster then spoke about the safety risks Canadian soldiers faced in Rwanda, including several anecdotal stories about being shot at, both on the road and within the UN compound. Major Lancaster then spoke about his return to Canada, and spoke briefly about his work with child soldiers since his time in Rwanda. He finished the interview by speaking about the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda. 0:00-8:46 – Background and first impressions of Rwanda 8:46-16:34 – Description of the mission, duties, successes and challenges presented by UNAMIR. 16:34-20:30 – Medical issues and medical care, including malaria and PTSD. 20:30-31:08 – Challenges in upholding the Arusha Accords, Operation Turquoise and French involvement in the region. 31:08-33:42 – Romeo Dallaire 33:42-41:04—Difficulties working with the UN 41:04-49:48—Safety of Canadian soldiers in Rwanda 49:48-58:19—Returning to Canada, Major Lancaster’s work with child soldiers 58:19-1:05:31—The Aftermath of the Genocide

Rank: Major. Medals and Honours: Canadian Forces Decoration

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • LP_732
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • March 14, 2012
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 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 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

This page supports the Zotero and Mendeley browser extensions simply click on the extension widget in your browser to save the objects citation.

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Visibility Actions
file details SC141_MilitaryOralHistory_GenericThumbnail Public
file details Lancaster_P_0732_01.mp3 Public