That was Paddy Joe . . . He’d Been Blown to Bits
Mr. Bérard describes his desperate individual search for his closest friend but finding only his boot. He commends his men for holding their position in his absence.
Léo Paul Bérard
First name
Léo Paul
Last name
Bérard
Gender
M
Biography
Léo Paul Bérard was born in Ste Anne des Chenes, Manitoba, in 1915. He was one of only four of the family’s thirteen children to survive. His father was a farm and forest worker. Mr. Bérard studied carpentry in school, and helped his crippled brother to learn the trade. In 1933, he enlisted with the Winnipeg Grenadiers to join their ball team - he was given the rank of corporal. He pursued extensive NCO training, attaining the rank of sergeant. Mr. Bérard offers us a view of the Honk Kong/Japan internment through the eyes of a soldier who deeply respected his officers and men, and who was in turn respected by them. Many of his clips include very personal references of this sort. After returning from the war, Mr. Bérard remained in the Army, where he trained soldiers for the Korean deployment.
People old ID
389
People Language
E
We Hadn’t a Chance at All
Mr. Bérard reflects on the dilemma of the Hong Kong defenders from a tactical perspective.
Suddenly the Stone Moved
Mr. Bérard describes killing a Japanese sniper, and discusses the type of grenades that the enemy used.
They’re not Indians
Mr. Bérard describes a couple of events in Hong Kong which demonstrated the ignorance and arrogance of the British toward Canadians.
As Soon as You’re Shot at, You’re Trained
Mr. Bérard discusses various aspects of his interaction with and commitment to his men, and his confidence in them.