Eleven Months of Action
Heroes Remember
Eleven Months of Action
Transcript
Artillery being fired.
Interviewer: Why is that? Well you never had no protection against it. There was times that you could get into houses, something like that you had some protection, but in the slip trench, well those things coming down you didn't know where . . . some so close you could feel the heat on them, they were landing that close. And when they exploded, Mr. Man, I'll tell you! It was some racket. And sweat . . . so scared I'd see the water running off me like someone pouring water on my head.Description
Mr. Gouchie describes what he saw and went through for the eleven months following D-Day.
Earl Gouchie
Mr. Gouchie was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, on February 21, 1917. He comes from a family of four sisters and three brothers. His father was a part-time farmer and mill worker. Growing up during the depression and having a Grade eight level of education, Mr. Gouchie had very little opportunity for employment and worked in the local lumber woods until he decided to join the army. After the declaration of war, Mr. Gouchie was one of the first men to join the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. His regiment sailed to Southern England and received three years of training in preparation for the landings on D-Day in Normandy. The North Nova Scotia Highlanders have been recorded as being known to have fought many bloody battles during wartime. Mr. Gouchie was part of the 2nd wave during the D-Day invasion and admits he would never want to go through it again. After the war, Mr. Gouchie returned home to Amherst to be with his wife and family. He became very involved with the construction of a mural recognizing the contributions of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment. Mr. Gouchie coordinates the parades each year for Remembrance Day celebrations in Amherst. He has never allowed his service in the army to be forgotten and the contributions given by himself and his fellow soldiers. Mr. Gouchie feels the young people of today should experience army life and realize the true meaning of discipline.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 1:49
- Person Interviewed:
- Earl Gouchie
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- France
- Battle/Campaign:
- Normandy
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- North Nova Scotia Highlanders
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