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Archival description
University of British Columbia military units oral history collection
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Albert Laithwaite interview

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Albert Laithwaite : Reserve University Squadron, 1949-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-04-20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Albert Laithwaite (born 1915) discusses his family background. Royal Air Force and British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Physical fitness for air force personnel. Joins squadron 1949. Squadron leader Roy Haines. Beginnings of UBC squadron. Duties as adjutant. TRACK 2: Importance of tradition. Lectures. Resident staff officer. University and Service College training compared. Leadership training. Value of training units to community. Social aspects of units. Loss due to disbandment. Contribution of university units. Human element of services.

Arthur Lord interview

CALL NUMBER: T0246:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Canadian Officers' Training Corps UBC - WWI and WWII RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-07-25 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Arthur Lord was born in 1897 and discusses his family background. High school cadets. Canadian Officers' Training Corps (COTC). Western Universities Battalion. Camp Hughes. England. Vimy Ridge. TRACK 2: Vimy campaign. Wounded. Attitude to WWI. President Wesbrook. Campus life. COTC disbanded 1919. Graduation. UBC Senate from 1924. Re-establishment of COTC in 1928.;

CALL NUMBER: T0246:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Arthur Lord : Canadian Officers' Training Corps, UBC - WWI and WWII, 1915-1945 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-06-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Arthur Lord discusses international affairs in the 1930s. Joining the COTC. Training and duties. Importance of discipline. Officers' Mess. Qualities of a good officer. TRACK 2: WWI and WWII students compared. Value of military training on campus.;

Dr. Finlay Morrison interview

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dr. Finlay Morrison : Canadian Officers' Training Corps UBC 1951-1963 PERIOD COVERED: 1940-1963 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1974-03-27 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Finlay Morrison's family background and education. Canadian Officers' Training Corps (COTC) at the University of Saskatchewan 1940-42. Becomes aide to General Crerar. With tactical headquarters, Normandy. General Crerar's views on officer training. TRACK 2: Impression of COTC at UBC. Duties of contingency officers. Changes in officer training. Views of commanding officers and responsibilities. Issue of quotas 1950s and 1960s. Issue of disbandment. Value of COTC to individual. COTC and citizenship.

Dr. Lawrence E. Ranta interview : [Specht, 1973]

CALL NUMBER: T0247:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dr. Lawrence E. Ranta : Canadian Officers' Training Corps, 1944-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-08-06 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Lawrence E. Ranta discusses his family background and medical career. Missisauga Horse Guard. Finnish background. International developments of the 1930s. Wartime research at UBC. TRACK 2: Wartime research at UBC. Field craft instruction, COTC. Views on benefits of COTC. CALL NUMBER: T0247:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dr. Lawrence E. Ranta : Canadian Officers' Training Corps 1944-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-08-06 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Lawrence E. Ranta discusses the administrative ability of Dr. Shrum. P.M.C. duties. Mess events. Humorous incident regarding painting displayed in mess. Emily Carr paintings. TRACK 2: Emily Carr paintings. Mess furniture. Miss Davies and Mess dinners. R.O.T.P. and Canadian Officers' Training Corps (COTC). Quotas issue. Views on COTC and citizenship. Resistance to quota reductions. Col;. McLean. CALL NUMBER: T0247:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dr. Lawrence E. Ranta : Canadian Officers' Training Corps 1944-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-08-08 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Lawrence E. Ranta discusses COTC relations with local units. Annual Commanding Officers' meetings. Integration. Comparison of Liberal and Conservative policy. Gen. George Pearkes. Becomes a Commanding Officer. UNTD. Implementing integration. TRACK 2: Financial reasons for disbandment. Campus mood 1960s. Canadian forces and Defence Policy. Nuclear age. Peace keeping. COTC training in the 1960s. Distinguished visitors. Arrival dinners. Praise for naval unit.

Dr. Maurice Young interview

CALL NUMBER: T0505:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dr. Maurice Young : University Naval Training Division, 1957-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-03-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Maurice Young (born 1912) discusses his family background. Education. Civil Defence London 1939-1940. R.N.V.R. in England then on HMS Gerusalemme. Post-war education. UBC Paediatrics 1953;. R.C.N.R. HMCS Donacona. Discovery. Becomes Commanding Officer of University Naval Training Division (U.N.T.D.). TRACK 2: Efficiency award system. Composition of U.N.T.D. Familiarization cruises. Public relations. Effects of integration. Move to UBC. Problems with integration. Support from UBC presidents.

CALL NUMBER: T0505:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Dr. Maurice Young : University Naval Training Division 1957-1968 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-03-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Maurice Young makes a comparison of UBC presidents' attitudes toward military units. Effects of quotas. Economic motivations. Decline of moral due to government. Motives for involvement in UNTD. Traditions. Effect of training on students. [TRACK 2: blank.]

Dr. Norman MacKenzie interview : [Specht, 1974]

CALL NUMBER: T0507:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-05-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Norman A.M. MacKenzie discusses his family background. Education. Pictou County, N.S. Schools -- Nova Scotia. Joins O.T.C. Dalhousie 1914. Enlists. Training period. Overseas in France -- "Plug Street", Ypes. TRACK 2: Somme. Arras. Catches flu and convalescence England. Passchendaele. 1918 -- Arras front. Amieus. Actions as a scout. Military medals. Cambrai-Bourlon. CALL NUMBER: T0507:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-05-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Norman MacKenzie discusses his discharge. Education plans. Post-war attitude to war. International affairs 1920s. Versailles Treaty. Visit to Russian OTC. University of Toronto. Anti-military training on campus. TRACK 2: University of Toronto and UBC compared re: military. Military in Canada inter-war years. Opinion of value of OTC. Sections of society supporting military. Effect of Depression on international stability. Becomes president U.N.B.C.S.A. incident, 1940. CALL NUMBER: T0507:0003 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-05-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Norman MacKenzie describes the Canadian Officers' Training Corps, UBC. Dr. Shrum. Armoury. President's house. Opinion on value of OTC. Discussion of commanding officers at UBC. Pipe Band. TRACK 2: UBC commanding officers of COTC, Reserve University Squadron, University Naval Training Division. Reasons commanding officers served in units. Opinion of quotas and phasing out of units. Political parties and their attitudes. Integration [of the Armed Forces]. Efforts to resist disbandment.

Frank Turner interview

CALL NUMBER: T0506:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Frank Turner : University Naval Training Division, 1946-1954 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-05-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Frank Turner was born in 1916 and discusses his family background. Education. UBC life in the 1930s. Views on international affairs. Attitude to Canadian Officers' Training Corps (COTC) in peace time. Enlists navy 1941. Sea experience. Reasons for preferring navy over other services. Alumni secretary 1946-1954. Became Commanding Officer in U.N.T.D. TRACK 2: Post war uncertainty. Composition of U.N.T.D. Story of the gun room. Annual balls. Changes in training. Ex-naval officers in U.N.T.D. Success of U.N.T.D.

CALL NUMBER: T0506:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Frank Turner : University Naval Training Division 1946-1954 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1974-05-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Frank Turner discusses the value of training program to the individual. Group activity, cooperation and competition. Personal philosophy. Dean Gage's contributions to society.

Geoffrey Riddehough interview

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Geoffrey Riddehough : Canadian Officers' Training Corps, UBC, 1928-1945 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-07-20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Geoffrey Riddehough was born in 1900 and discusses his education at UBC in the early 1920s. Fairview Campus. Sir Henry Newbolt affair. Interest in military training. Joined the Canadian Officers' Training Corps 1928-1929. Discussion of article in Defence Quarterly 1931. TRACK 2: International affairs 1930. French military 1932. Poor morale in France. Military intelligence 1939. Importance of security. COTC UBC WWII. Instructor in arms. Training camps. British army tradition.

Gordon Shrum interview : [Specht & Mackenzie, 1973]

CALL NUMBER: T0243:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Canadian Officers' Training Corps, UBC, 1928-1946 PERIOD COVERED: 1914-1946 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-07-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Gordon M. Shrum discusses his family background and education. Admiration for University of Toronto professors. Joins the Canadian Officers' Training Corps (COTC) at the University of Toronto. Enlistment as a gunner. World War I experiences at Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele and earns military medal at Mons. TRACK 2: Attitude to WWI and military. Completes education and moves to UBC. Origins of COTC UBC in 1928 and reasons for joining. Dr. H. Logan, Dean Brock supporters. Position of President Klinck. Student opposition. Building of armoury. Decision to waive pay. Acquires Emily Carr paintings for Officers' Mess. Comparison of COTC training with military colleges. COTC facilities at UBC.;

CALL NUMBER: T0243:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Canadian Officers' Training Corps, UBC, 1928-1946 PERIOD COVERED: 1914-1946 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-07-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Gordon Shrum discusses the COTC facilities on and off the UBC campus 1929-1940. Staff Sgt. Smith. Decision to waive pay. Duties as Captain in COTC. Inspector Gen. Griesback. Anti-war movement; 1934. Morale. Training program. Comparison of Col. Logan and Col. Letson. Dr. Shrum becomes Commanding Officer in 1937. Importance of discipline. TRACK 2: Effect of international developments. Government policy re: COTC during wartime. Wartime expansion of COTC. Getting materials to build armoury. Faculty attitudes. Student attitudes. UNTD. UATP. Summer Camps.;

CALL NUMBER: T0243:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Canadian Officers' Training Corps, UBC, 1928-1946 PERIOD COVERED: 1914-1946 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-07-05 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Gordon Shrum discusses COTC Training program for WWII. Faculty and students' attitudes to COTC. Dean Finlayson. President Klinck. Chancellor McKechnie and Hamber. Committee for Military Affairs. COTC officer staff WWII. President N. MacKenzie supports military units. COTC contribution to war effort. COTC standards. TRACK 2: Opinions on value of officer training to individual. Brief discussion of some wartime military and political leaders. Position on Selection Board COTC. Annual Reports. Administration.;

H.F.G. Letson interview

CALL NUMBER: T0248:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Canadian Officers' Training Corps - cadet, officer, and C.O., 1914-1936 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-08-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: General H.F.G. Letson (born 1896) discusses his family background. High school cadets. Formation of COTC, WWI. President Wesbrook. 196th Battalion. Overseas in France and at Vimy Ridge. Returns to UBC in 1918. Disbandment. Views on anti-miltary feeling on campus. TRACK 2: B.C. Regiment 1920s. Co-operation of militia with COTC. Becomes Commanding Officer of COTC. Gallipoli lectures. Musketry. "My foreign legion". Philosophy of COTC. Personal feelings. Interest in history.;

CALL NUMBER: T0248:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Canadian Officers' Training Corps - cadet, officer, and C.O., 1914-1936 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-08-13 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: General H.F.G. Letson discusses incidents in 1919 of student opposition. 1941 military attacks in Washington. 1942 Assistant General in charge of recruitment. Problems of recruitment WWII. Story by Sam Hughes. Explanation of WWII policy of dividing Canadian army. TRACK 2: General McNaughton and autonomy issue. Post-WWII committee for militia policy. Views on disbandment of Canadian Officers' Training Corps. Views on integration. Support of COTC.;

John F. McLean interview

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Canadian Officers' Training Corps, UBC, 1953-1957 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-08-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: John F. McLean was born in 1911 and discusses his personal background and education. Recalls formation of the Canadian Officers' Training Corps (COTC) in 1928 and UBC campus reaction. His attitude to the COTC when he was a student and student opposition. International developments of the 1930s and the advent of war and military training as a cadet in the COTC 1939. Seaforth Highlanders. Experiences in Sicily and Italy. Post-WWII life. TRACK 2: Joins the COTC as a Commanding Officer in 1953. Significance of the Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTP). Purpose of annual meetings of Canadian COTC Commanding Officers. Discussion of quotas issue. Resistance to phasing out of units. Individuals who fought to save units.

Ray Herbert interview

CALL NUMBER: T0503:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ray Herbert : Reserve University Squadron, 1952-1968 PERIOD COVERED: 1944-1968 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.) [?], 1974-04-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Ray Herbert was born in 1924 and discusses his schooling. Alberta militia unit. Joins RCAF. Overseas bomber squadron. Enters Law faculty at UBC. Joins auxiliary wing at Sea Island. Interaction between Sea Island unit and UBC squadron. Views on disbandment of UBC Reserve University Squadron (RUS) in 1945, and re-establishment in 1949. Becomes a Commanding Officer in 1952. Impressions of armoury and personnel. TRACK 2: Officer's mess. Parade night activities. Summer training program. Effect upon Canadian unity. Attainments of air training program. Recruitment. CALL NUMBER: T0503:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ray Herbert : Reserve University Squadron, 1952-1968 PERIOD COVERED: 1944-1968 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.) [?], 1974-04-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Ray Herbert discusses recruitment. Women cadets. Supplying officers. Establishment of Victoria unit. Quota issue. Reserve Officers' Training Program (ROTP). Annual meetings of commanding officers from across Canada. Organization. Tri-Service staff officer. TRACK 2. Canada's changing foreign policy. Views on Canada's position vis-a-vis the United States. Effects of removal of air crew training. Interaction with army and navy units. Annual tri-services parade. CALL NUMBER: T0503:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ray Herbert : Reserve University Squadron, 1952-1968 PERIOD COVERED: 1944-1968 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.) [?], 1974-04-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Ray Herbert discusses integration [of the services] -- pros and cons. Disbandment. UBC administration cooperative. Advantages of training to students. Personal satisfaction.

Robert Bonner interview : [Specht, 1973]

CALL NUMBER: T0244:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Canadian Officers' Training Corps, UBC, 1940-1953 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-07-19 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Robert W. Bonner discusses his family background and schooling. Depression issues. UBC campus politics. Canadian Students Assembly 1940-1941. Enrolment in the Canadian Officers' Training Corps (COTC). Training. Theory of training. TRACK 2: Impressions of Col. Shrum. COTC activities. Seaforth Highlanders. Sicily and Italy. Training instructor in England. Becomes Chief Training Officer at COTC 1945-1946.

CALL NUMBER: T0244:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Canadian Officers' Training Corps, UBC, 1940-1953 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1973-07-19 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Robert W. Bonner discusses COTC summer camp. Enters Law faculty. Views on COTC. Post-war international developments. Post-war COTC. University administration cooperativeness. TRACK 2: Becomes; a Commanding Officer. Post-war international affairs. Unification issue. Contributions of COTC. Liberal education a value to officers. Value of military training.