Remembrance Day Reflection

Heroes Remember

Remembrance Day Reflection

It used to mean a lot more to me than it does now, as I get to be aging. I have accepted all this as that what has gone before. I have accepted it and it is part of the regeneration of the world after two wars, you see. And I used to go to the services with post war on the 11th. But as time went on, my friends gradually got less and less at them and the interest in attending it was less and less. And so that I respect the 11th just the same now as I ever did, but I don’t join in on any of the demonstrations.

Mr. Manson offers his thoughts on November 11th.

Arthur Bennett Manson

Arthur Manson was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia on March 5, 1899, as the second of three children. His father worked as a lumberman, then became a provincial politician, moving his family to Fort Simpson and finally to Prince Rupert. The family moved to Victoria when his father became BC’s Minister of Agriculture. Arthur Manson’s older brother had enlisted as a machine gunner and had attained the rank of lieutenant. Mr. Manson enlisted at Victoria in March, 1917, stating that it was “the thing to do.” He trained in Petawawa, Ontario as an artilleryman, and did the same at Whitley in England. However, he was spared front line duty by being attached to 2nd Brigade Headquarters. After the armistice, Mr. Manson joined the army of occupation in Germany. When he returned to Canada, Mr. Manson obtained his medical degree and practiced medicine in British Columbia. When the Second World War was under way, he joined the Forces as a Medical Officer in BC in response to the perceived threat from Japan.

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 00:59
Person Interviewed:: Arthur Bennett Manson
War, Conflict or Mission:: First World War
Location/Theatre:: Europe
Branch:: Army
Units/Ship:: 2nd Brigade Headquarters
Occupation:: Adjutant

Related Videos

We had a very nice trip over.

Mr. Manson describes arriving in Halifax, waiting to ship overseas, and having unusually good accommodations on the voyage to England.

Our section went to the Bull Ring.

Mr. Manson describes his training regimen at Whitley camp, and being deployed to France. He describes his good fortune to be attached to 2nd Brigade Headquarters.

Our Brigade went to Germany.

Mr. Manson describes the subdued reaction to the armistice, and describes then joining the Army of Occupation in Germany, and in particular interacting with the local civilians.

Admiration for the “real combat soldiers”

Mr. Manson reflects on whether, based on his lack of combat action, he should even have been interviewed, despite having no choice in his deployment. He expresses his admiration for the “real combat soldiers.”

Those are the ones that you must keep in mind.

Mr. Manson reflects on how today’s younger generation has renewed interest in Canada’s Veterans, and offers some advice about gratitude and respect for our Veterans’ efforts in past wars.

Organization of the 5th Division to combat the Japanese.

Mr. Manson describes his role as a medical officer in British Columbia during the Second World War, first screening Air Force personnel and then as Chief Medical Officer for several field hospitals on the BC coast, which had been established because of the threat of Japanese invasion.

Date modified:: 2024-12-30