Rehabilitation in PEI
Mr. Boyce describes going to a rehab hospital in Charlottetown, and sleeping outdoors in order to get adequate air, despite frigid winter conditions.
Harry Boyce
First name
Harry
Last name
Boyce
Gender
M
Biography
Harry Boyce was born in Bonshaw, Prince Edward Island on September 4, 1893. After moving to Regina to work as an architect, he returned to P.E.I. to enlist with the 8th Canadian Siege Battery. He trained in Charlottetown then went overseas and continued his training at Aldershot, England, where he specialized on the 8-inch siege gun, which fired a 200 pound shell. In the autumn of 1915 he was sent to France and served during the Somme, Vimy Ridge and Le Preol. He was gassed and repatriated to Canada.
People old ID
649
People Language
E
Mustard Gas Victim
Mr. Boyce describes being poisoned by mustard gas, returning to England and finally being repatriated to Canada.
Mustard Gas Versus Cloud Gas
Mr. Boyce discusses the difference between cloud gas and mustard gas, which was delivered by artillery shell. He describes the futility of trying to wear a gas mask in a combat situation.
Vimy Ridge Was Decisive
Mr. Boyce describes the value of tunnels to the eventual success of the Canadian assault on Vimy, and discusses the demoralization of the defeated German prisoners.
Citizen Soldiers
Mr. Boyce describes the fact that Canada's 'citizen soldiers' had more innovative training than those Allied soldiers who had had three years of compulsory training.
The Somme – Roles Reversed
Mr. Boyce discusses the Battle of the Somme as being the point where the Allies switched from defensive to offensive strategies.
Muddy Conditions for Guns
Mr. Boyce describes the difficulty of moving guns because of the mud and the necessity of blowing holes through German barbed wire while constantly repositioning to avoid counter fire.