(Side 1) Born on June 17, 1897 in Montreal (d. 198-?). Indoctrinated into military life through his father who was a militia staff officer, a member of the Corps of Guides. Joined the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars (17th D.Y.R.C.H.) and by 1913 had risen to the rank of signal sergeant. Admitted to Royal Military College (R.M.C.) in 1914, he found it not that much different from his early boarding school life, except for rather more discipline. Some discussion of course work. (10:00) R.M.C. graduates had to take a militia commission, but not necessarily a regular commission. Many of the military staff were British; the academic staff, Canadian. At that time the course at R.M.C. was shortened largely through personal choice, a desire to get into the war. He was advised to join the Royal Canadian Engineers, into which he was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1915. Served in Canada until March 1916 when he went overseas with the 3rd Canadian Division Signal Company which, in fact, was composed of engineers. Discusses pay, leave, and the prominent military tailors, Hawkes Bros. of Saville Row. (32:00) In France he found that communications by means of the early field telephone were not very satisfactory, compounded by constantly broken wire. At the front, if time allowed, telephone wires were buried six feet deep as protection against shellfire, particularly at, and after, Vimy in 1917. (40:00) First interview ends. Flashback: prewar training and experiences with the 17th D.Y.R.C.H. (45:00).