Elkington, Eric Henry William: my Army recollections
Elkington, Eric Henry William: my Army recollections
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Description:
Item is an interview/narrative of Eric Henry William Elkington' s experiences during World War I and II. Lieutenant-Colonel Elkington, M.D. served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. Interview took place on January 24, 1986.
Date:
1986-01-24
Collection:
Elkington, Eric Henry William: my Army recollections
People Depicted:
Lieutenant-Colonel Elkington, Eric Henry William, b. 1893
Page Title:
Elkington_E_0170_01.mp3
Abstract:
(Interview 2, interviewed by R. H Roy) Elkington was educated in Duncan and Victoria, B.C., then at McGill University medical school. In Victoria he was closely associated with the family of Sir Henry Crease whom he remembers as an elderly man. In 1914 he joined a field ambulance, part of the 2nd Canadian Division, in Montreal. In France he was a sergeant in charge of a party of stretcher-bearers. Remembers working with the 29th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Trench life. Takes illegal "pot shots" at Germans. Discusses rats and rations in the trenches. In late 1916 was returned to Canada to complete his medical degree.
After graduation the army sent him to Vladivostok. Many Russian refugees dying of starvation. A dangerous city with little civilian authority evident. Attached to 16 Canadian General Hospital [sic] (Elkington himself later confirmed that he meant to say "No. 16 Field Ambulance in Siberia in 1919" instead of "16 Canadian General Hospital"). Experiences with Japanese troops. Tale of Maj. Ragasan, the interpreter. Medical problems were largely of the "civilian" type, not many war casualties. Remarks. (50:00)