Baxter, Thomas: my Army recollections (August 25, 1982)

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Interviewer: Bell, Chris

Rank: Bombardier.

ABSTRACT: Bombardier Thomas Baxter 10th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery Baxter_T_0015_01.mp3 Born on Jan. 11, 1895 in Regina, Sask. (d. 1984?). Joined the 5th Regiment, Canadian Garrison Artillery (militia) in Victoria just before World War I. He was called out for guard duty at Esquimalt on Aug. 2, 1914. Later, on duty at Dunce Head, he saw H.M.C.S. Rainbow leave harbour on her first wartime patrol on Aug. 4. He discusses the purchase of submarines CC 1 and CC 2 in Seattle and the close shave they had with the Esquimalt harbour defences. Baxter volunteered for overseas duty when he learned of the execution of Nurse Edith Cavell by the Germans in 1915. He recounts his experiences on a troop train moving across Canada. Embarked on the S.S. Missanabi at Halifax. Arrived at Shorncliffe Barracks in England (10:00) where for two months he underwent a not very vigorous training period. In Apr. he went to France with the 10th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery where his first duty was as a sentry in the Ypres salient. Describes the fighting on the Somme (1916), "dodging" shells, etc. Promoted to corporal (bombardier). Some discussion of the Canadian attack on Vimy Ridge (1917). Returned to the Ypres area (20:00) where he recounts the great difficulty of daylight movement under constant shellfire which caused a number of casualties in his unit. In 1918 a gas shell exploded nearby and, while he only experienced a mild contact, it was enough to send him to hospital in England for three months. He was there when the Armistice was declared. Baxter_T_0015_02.mp3 He returned to Canada in 1919, directly to Victoria, via the Panama Canal. Baxter goes on to tell of "miracles" in that he escaped death. Some philosophical/religious comments, including the present situation regarding the probability of war. (39:00)

An interview/narrative of Thomas Baxter's experiences during World War I. Bombardier Baxter served with the 10th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. Interview took place on August 25, 1982.

Interviewee: Baxter, Thomas, 1895-1984

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
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 39 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
  • BT_015
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • June 29, 2006
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by SC, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. ; WWI Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2006. 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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