Item is an interview/narrative of Egbert Browning' s experiences during World War I. Sergeant Browning served with the British Army. Interview took place in 1983.
Date:
1983-01-01
Collection:
Browning, Egbert: my Army recollections
People Depicted:
Sergeant Browning, Egbert, b. 1894
Page Title:
Browning_E_0149_01.mp3
Abstract:
(Side 1) Born ca. 1892 (d. 198-). Spent some of his early years in Ireland where his father was employed by the War Department in survey work. Returned to London at about eighteen years of age. After a twelve-month course in surveying he joined his father and brothers in the survey business during the period 1910-1914. Due to the crowds of volunteers he had a difficult time joining up when war came in 1914. With the rank of sergeant he eventually joined a "special service" unit composed of technical personnel. Initially posted to the remount depot at Woolwich where he learned to ride. Inspected by Lord Kitchener. Hospitalized with a serious case of pneumonia. Went to Le Havre, then "up the line" in charge of a small unit. Encountered the Prince of Wales. Visits the 3rd Corps area where he inspected well-built (German?) trenches. Armistice, 1918.
(Side 2) Returns to comments on the first, hard winter of the war. Obtained leave in 1916 in order to be married. Anecdotal account of honeymoon on the Isle of Wight. Very unsettled after the war. Tried his hand at learning farming. Emigrated to Canada, to Victoria, B.C., in 1924. Worked on the Taylor farm at Patricia Bay. General comments on North Saanich, his brothers, etc.