Never a Question of Not Serving

Heroes Remember

Never a Question of Not Serving

Interview: During the late 1930s, Mr. James, the political situation in Europe was deteriorating. As a young man in London, Ontario, were you keeping abreast of those developments through newspapers and radio? Yes, we were very aware of what was going on. One day we were depressed. The next day we were optimistic. We had one friend of the family and when she came out to visit, after she left, we knew there was gonna be a war tomorrow. She was that negative. But I think it was obvious to all of us there was gonna be a war. And, frankly, I think we were... we felt better when war was declared because, at least, we knew the direction in which our lives were going to take. Interviewer: Is that the impression you had on September 10th, when, 1939, when Canada declared war? Yeah. We felt terrible, but we knew that it was inevitable and we were glad it was there. Interviewer: What did you think that, that declaration of war was going to mean to you, personally? Well, I think that there was no doubt in our minds that we would be involved, providing we were medically fit. In what direction, we didn't know at that time, but there was never a question of not serving. I think, we, we had a built-in allegiance to Canada that was there, and always will be, and we just knew that we had to do something and, so, we were quite prepared. As I say, I was in the militia for about nine months before I went into the air force, and my twin brother was in the army, and my older brother was in the air force. It was one of those situations where when we enlisted, there was no doubt in our minds but that we were going overseas. You know, some- sometimes if you enlisted, you could be with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan taking so many people. And importantly, an awful lot of the fellas that wanted to go overseas, never did because they were doing a very important job here. But there wasn't much call for radar mechanics in Canada. So, we knew that we were going overseas. So, I, I guess, we just lived out our I don't know, 10 days I think it was they gave us and enjoyed it. And made as many contacts as we could and then, then we were on our way. And didn't know it was going to be almost four years before we saw them again.

Mr. James recalls how obvious it was to his family that war was imminent and they would be involved. He then explains how those trained as radar mechanics were sure to be deployed overseas rather than remain in Canada.

Albert James

Mr. Albert James was born in London, Ontario, on April 3, 1919. He attended school there until grade 13, before beginning work with D.H. Hauden and Co. - including years spent in the war, he stayed with the company for over 43 years. In 1940, Mr. James joined the London Militia, and on April 28, 1941, was called to report to the RCAF. After 4 weeks basic training in Toronto, a 14 week radio course at University of Toronto, and 5 weeks training at a RAF radio school in Clinton, he was posted overseas as a radar mechanic. He would eventually land in Gourock, Scotland, on November 23, 1941. From there Mr. James spent a short time in Yatesbury before being posted to #3 group, 115 Squadron with RAF Bomber Command. There he installed, tested, and maintained G radar - a new technology, introduced to aid in navigation, that would revolutionize bombing. In the fall of 1942, Mr. James was selected for project Mandrell and was sent to London to help assemble, and learn to maintain, new radar jamming units. He and other mechanics returned to RAF #3 Group to service the new units for squadrons in the area. Eventually he was promoted to corporal, and put in charge of one of the servicing units. In July 1943, Mr. James was promoted to Senior NCO in charge of the radar section for #75 New Zealand Squadron - RAF Bomber Command. He would remain as an administrator for the remainder of the war, returning to Canada on August 25, 1945. He received his discharge in October, and immediately returned to work.

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 02:53
Person Interviewed:: Albert James
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Branch:: Air Force
Rank:: Sergeant
Occupation:: Radar Mechanic

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Date modified:: 2024-12-30