Remembrance Day Reflection
Heroes Remember
Remembrance Day Reflection
Transcript
Description
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.
Meta Data
- 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
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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.
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