Sound recordings of oral history interviews with survivors of the First World War who fought in the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Originating in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1914, the 46th Battalion called upon over 5000 young men from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta to fight in northern France. The interviews were conducted by James L. McWilliams and R. James Steel. Summaries and agreements are included. The interviewers used this material in the preparation of a 1978 publication entitled The Suicide Battalion.
Interviewees are as follows:
George Anderson, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1074) describes his service with the 46th Battalion in World War I, Armistice Day and returning to Canada. 1976. 20 minutes.
Colin Bond, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1070) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion in World War I, his duties as a runner and the battle at Amiens. 1975. 50 minutes.
Harry Brice, Riverhurst (Tape R-14051). 60 minutes.
James (Jim) W. Broomhead, Flint, Michigan (Tape R-1188) discusses how he came to service with the 46th Battalion during World War I, training, raids, and descriptions of battles such as the Somme. 1976. 80 minutes.
George Brown (Tape R-14054, side B). 10 minutes.
Gordon Brown, Pelly (Tape R-1093) discusses his service with the 46th Battalion during World War I, describing battles such as Passchendaele, Lens and Amiens, rebuilding the 46th at Bruay and Armistice Day. 1975. 55 minutes.
L.W. (Pat) Burns, London, Ontario (Tape R-1062; Tape R-1063) discusses descriptions of battles while serving with the 46th such as Lens and Passchendale, patrols, anti-aircraft duty and several officers. Interview conducted by R.J. Steel. 1975. 70 minutes.
Jim H. Butterworth, Calgary, Alberta (Tape R-1075) gives descriptions of his service with the 46th Battalion, raiding procedures, dugouts and his comrades. 1975. 55 minutes.
J.P. Copp, La Jolla, California (Tape R-1067) talks about his service with the 46th Battalion, describing battles, the wounded and deceased, life in the trenches and returning to Canada. Interview conducted by R.J. Steel. 1975. 55 minutes.
Herbert Crosbie, Regina (Tape R-14052). 1977. 30 minutes.
Sam Downey, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1088, Tape R-1089) talks about how he came to serve with the 46th, training in Canada, descriptions of battles such as Vimy, the Somme and Lens and returning home. 1976. 75 minutes.
Jack Featherstone, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1099; Tape R-1100; Tape R-1101) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Ballation, trench life, night work, rations, battles, sniping, patrols, the Oppy Wood Front, march to Amiens, battle of Amiens and the post-war period. 1975. 100 minutes.
Fred Gillespie, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1090; Tape R-1091) talks about how he came to serve with the 46th, training in Canada, arrival in Britain, descriptions of battles fought and the post-war period. 1975. 90 minutes.
Pat Gleason, Yorkton (Tape R-1082) describes his service with the 46th Battalion during World War I including topics such as the Oppy Wood Front, preparations for Amiens, Cambrai, rations, Armistice Day and returning to Canada. 1975. 50 minutes.
Art Goodmurphy (Tape R-14053; Tape R-14054, side A)
Ernie Harris, Swift Current (Tape R-1068; Tape R-1069) discusses topics including descriptions of battles during World War I at Lens, Passchendaele, Avion, and Ypres, scouting methods and patrols and discussion about good officers. 1975. 120 minutes.
Percy Hellings, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1065, Tape R-1066) discusses how he came to serve with the 229th Battalion and then the 46th Battalion; describes battles at Lens and Passchendaele, scouting, life in the trenches and returning to Canada. 1975. 100 minutes.
Percy Hellings, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1068; Tape R-1069) describes battles during World War I, scouting methods and patrols and discusses good officers. 1975. 120 minutes.
, Tape R-1068, Tape R-1069)
Dick Herrod (Tape R-14054, side A). 10 min.
Jack S. Huckerby, Regina (Tape R-1094) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion, descriptions of battles such as Amiens, the D-Q line, Canal du Nord, Cambrai and Valenciennes, and the post-war period. 1975. 60 minutes.
Edward Hunter, Moose Jaw (Tape R-14055)
Ernie Jenner, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1059) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th; descriptions of battles; and his job as a signaller; the baseball and football team of the 46th and the post-war period. 1976. 60 minutes.
Robert Kears, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1083) describes his service with the 46th Battalion and the 16th Battalion during World War I. 1975. 45 minutes. Interview conducted by James L. McWilliams.
George Kentner, Fredonia, New York (Tape R-1189) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion during World War I, descriptions of battles at Vimy, Lens, Passchendaele and Amiens, of patrols and Armistice. 1976. 75 minutes.
Eric Douglas McDonald, Yorkshire, England (Tape R-1075; Tape R-1076; Tape R-1077; Tape R-1078; Tape R-1079) discusses his early history and how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion; training at Camp Sewell, Manitoba; duties of a Lewis gun crew; and describes daily life and several battles. 1976. 7 hours.
Donald MacKay, Wolseley (Tape R-1095; Tape R-1096) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion; describes such battles as Amiens and Vallenciennes; Armistice and returning to Canada. 1975. 100 minutes.
Don McKerchar, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Tape R-1060; Tape R-1061) discusses how he came to serve with the 196th and then the 46th Battalion in World War I; describes battles at Lens, Passchendaele, Amiens and Canal du Nord; duties after Armistice and his return to Canada. 1975. 72 minutes.
Neil McLeod, Regina (Tape R-1084; Tape R-1085; Tape R-1086; Tape R-1087) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th; describes battles such as Vimy, Lens and the Oppy Wood Front; patrols; leave; rations; digging trenches and burying the dead. 1975-1976. 5 hours.
Thomas Scott, Biggar (Tape R-1064) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion, his service in France and the post-war period. 1975. 60 minutes.
Charles Skeates, Swift Current (Tape R-1080; Tape R-1081) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion, describes battles such as Passchendaele, Valenciennes, Amiens, and Dury, barbering and Armistice Day. 1975. 75 minutes.
Allan A. Smith, Saskatoon (Tape R-1072). 1975. 40 minutes.
George/Perley W. Smith (Tape R-14056). Date unknown. 60 minutes.
Bob Stevenson, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1097; Tape R-1098; Tape R-1100; Tape R-1101) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion; battles during World War I; daily life during World War I; rations; and the post-war period. 1975. 100 minutes.
Bill Sully, Saltcoats (Tape R-1071) discusses his service with the 46th Battalion on the Vimy front, at Lens and at Cambrai. 1975. 40 minutes.
J.S. Woodward, Saskatoon (Tape R-1092) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion, an officer's daily life and descriptions of battles such as Vimy and the Somme. 1975. 50 minutes.
Percy Young, Moose Jaw (Tape R-1073) discusses how he came to serve with the 46th Battalion, training at Camp Sewell, Manitoba, life at Bramshott, England and descriptions of his comrades. 1975. 75 minutes.