Mortimer, Robert: my RCAF experience (March 9, 2019)
Interviewer: Bargh, John
Interviewee: Mortimer, Robert
An interview/narrative of Robert Mortimer's experiences serving with the RCAF. Interview took place on March 9, 2019 in Courtenay, B.C.
ABSTRACT: Mr. Mortimer began his interview by talking about his early life and his enlistment in the air cadets, and then the reserves. He then spoke about his early career in the RCAF, being transferred across the country, and posting to bases in Canada. He then spoke about planes he trained on, and his application to become a fighter pilot. This transitioned into the story of Operation Leapfrog and his posting to Europe. He spoke about RCAF personnel’s perception by the local populace, impressions of the political situation, feelings about the F86, and the kind of training they did in Europe and North Africa. He spoke about his military career after the 1 Canadian Air Division during which he worked as a flight instructor, as well as the Sabre Pilots Association of the Canadian Air Division Squadrons (SPAADS) organization and the meeting bi-yearly of former Sabre pilots. He finished the interview by pulling out old photos and speaking about them. 0:00 – 4:15 – Early life, air cadets, reserves. Early career in the air force and posting to bases in Canada. 4:15 – 7:25 – Planes that were used for training, applying to be a fighter pilot, Operation Leapfrog and feelings heading to Europe. 7:25 – 21:50 – European civilians’ perception of RCAF personnel, impressions of the F86, what kind of training they did. 21:50 – 29:25 – Quarters and accommodation in Europe, conditions and experience in Germany, more information about the F86. 29:25 – 31:50 – Military career after deployment to Europe. 31.54 – 33:11 – SPAADS Organization. 33:12 – 43.02 – Old pictures are opened and explained.
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 51.5, 10.5
- Original sound recordings (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- MB_867
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 9, 2019
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2019. 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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