Collection search - Sproston, J. - 10th Battalion - Interview

Record information – Brief

1

Sproston, J. - 10th Battalion - Interview

Item number (ISN):

116942

Series title:

Flanders Fields : [background interview]

Hierarchical level:

Item (Accession level)

Date:

1964-01-09

Item number (ISN):

116942

Type of material:

Sound recordings

Found in:

Archives / Film, Video and Sound

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Record information – Details

Fonds/collection:

CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, RADIO: FLANDERS FIELDS

Accession:

1980-0123

Media:

Sound

Part:

1 of 1

Production date:

1964-01-09

Production company:

ORAL HISTORY

Production credit:

interviewer, Frank Lalor

Description:

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Lieutenant Joseph Sproston talks about his experiences during World War I with the 5th Battery of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade and the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion.~Gaining frontline experience with the seasoned British troops at Neuve Chapelle, Sproston was posted to Second Ypres where "the Germans broke the line with wave after wave." He remembers the French Colonial troops fleeing the gas and the Canadians being told to "urinate on your pocket handkerchief" hold it over their faces. "This saved thousands of lives."~After recuperatng from his wounds, Sproston, who was assigned to a battery of 18 pounders, recalls that the enemy was beaten back using "sacrifice guns." At St. Eloi, he recalls that the Germans "lobbed a big Bertha over" and killed every member of the 10th battalion's band. After six weeks of intensive training in open warfare at Vimy, Sproston recalls General Currie's speech to the men. His speech about "passing into immortality" angered the men.~Describing the last 100 days of war, Sproston describes the objective to take the village of Caix, an area containing a "network of defensive German trenches." He remembers "the artillery laid down a creeping barrage" and the counterattack where the Germans appeared to have "fire extinguishers" on their backs. It was "liquid fire" - the first time the enemy used "flame throwers."~He describes the action at the Drocourt-Quéant Line and the push to Cagnicourt and Villers-les-Cagnicourt.~He comments on the "wonderful work" that the artillery did - both the 18 pounders and the creeping barrage. He also talks about the "pretty difficult show" at Bourlon Wood, the fall of Cambrai, Armistice and the army of occupation.

Language:

English

Detailed holdings information:

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Vault ISN:

104242

Format:

SOUND

Location number:

1980-0123/052

Vault code:

GAT

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

R/R

Technical description:

POLY

Made from:

DEPOSIT

Status:

ORIG

Vault ISN:

666430

Format:

SOUND

Location number:

116942-1980-0123-052.WAV

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

BWF

Made from:

1980-0123/052

Status:

MASTER

Vault ISN:

666431

Format:

SOUND

Location number:

116942-1980-0123-052.MP3

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

MP3

Made from:

1980-0123/052

Status:

REF

Vault ISN:

156251

Format:

VIDEO

Location number:

C07441

Number of items:

1

Kind of sound:

SOF

Made from:

1980-0123/051
1980-0123/052

Status:

MASTER
Ordering and viewing options

Conditions of access:

Open

GENCAT identity number:

GAD 0FD547

Restrictions on consultation:

Available Onsite Only / Seulement disponible sur le site

Reproduction access:

With written permission of Copyright Owner / Avec la permission écrite du détenteur des droits d'auteur

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