Top Secret Messages
Heroes Remember
Top Secret Messages
Transcript
Description
Mr. Downe talks about what some of the dispatch messages he delivered might have been about.
Russell Downe
Russell Downe was born on February 26, 1924 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. He joined the army when he was just seventeen, following in the footsteps of his two brothers, Edward and Robert, who were already overseas. His training took place at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Mr. Downe worked as a motorcycle dispatch rider for most of the war where he was responsible for delivering urgent messages.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Recorded:
- January 1, 2000
- Duration:
- 1:11
- Person Interviewed:
- Russell Downe
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Canada
- Branch:
- Army
- Occupation:
- Dispatch Rider
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Mr. Downe recalls the day he joined the army.
Looking for Volunteers
Mr. Downe tells the story of his first time on a motorcycle.
Dispatcher’s Gear
Mr. Downe talks about the different items that he carried on his motorcycle.
Trip Wires
Mr. Downe tells us about the nerve racking night driving without lights.
Don't Let This Fall Into Enemy Hands
Mr. Downe talks about the responsibility that rested on his shoulders.
City of Caen
Mr. Downe talks about the city of Caen and compares the size of it to his hometown of Charlottetown.
German SS Trooper
Mr. Downe recalls traveling down a road near the Falaise Gap when he comes across a dying German trooper.
Canadian Water Rats
Mr. Downe, along with a group of other men, finds a dry place to sleep after a long spell of wet weather.
War Ended
Mr. Downe recalls the end of the war.
Dinner with a German
Mr. Downe tells the story of having dinner with a German caretaker after the war ended.
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