He Died Just Like That
Heroes Remember
Warning!
This video contains graphic content that may offend some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
He Died Just Like That
Transcript
Description
Dr. Theal describes the consequences of cavalier leadership in an assault at Groningen, Holland.
Dr. Gordon Irvine Theal
Dr. Theal was born in Grimsby, Ontario on April 2, 1916. His father, a farmer, operated a feed mill and later became a grocer, at which time Dr. Theal was old enough to help in the family business. At the insistence of some friends, he enrolled in Queens University’s medical school in Toronto. With the outbreak of war, he joined the Officer Training Corps. After graduating, Dr. Theal married and moved to British Columbia, where he went from camp to camp, encouraging enlistment in the regular forces. After shipping overseas and a couple postings in England, he was shipped to France during the D-Day invasion. His brigade accompanied the Allied advance from France to Holland. During this time, Dr. Theal and his team performed triage. This was the first contact the wounded had with a doctor and he would provide emergency medical treatment before the wounded moved back to the larger field hospitals. After completing his tour, Dr. Theal returned home to Ontario, to his wife and daughter, and took up private practice. He currently resides in Courtney, British Columbia.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 2:33
- Person Interviewed:
- Dr. Gordon Irvine Theal
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Holland/Netherlands
- Battle/Campaign:
- Liberation of the Netherlands
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
- Rank:
- Captain
- Occupation:
- Doctor
Related Videos
- Date modified: