Over the top
First World War Audio Archive
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Over the top
Transcript
Seven soldiers posing for a photo together.
signaler with the 2nd wave of infantry. So I saw quite a lot of action, particularly at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, and Passchendaele. Vimy Ridge, I’ll never forget Vimy Ridge. We had to wait for 20 minutes til the first wave went over and I was, had some signal equipment, telephone, some wire and the officer said, “You might as well lay those down, put those down, until we go over the top.” So I did. And I was yarning with this chap from Vancouver who was with the (inaudible) regiment. One of theOne soldier standing while the other is sitting for a photograph.
nicest fellas I think I ever met. I was immediately attracted to him and we were yarning away. Then our officer said, “One minute to go, pick up your equipment.” And I bent down to pick up the telephone, and just then there was an explosion overhead, and there was a “suck” on the trench beside me. And I was just going to say, “My goodness, that was close.” When I turned around to this chap, he was sagging down in the trench. There was nothing left but his lower jaw. His whole head had been carried off. That’s the reason I remember Vimy Ridge.Soldiers posing with a small dog and an artillery shell.
Description
Mr. Conrad describes the fatal wounding of a fellow signaler in the forward trench at Vimy Ridge.
Frank Benjamin Conrad
Frank Benjamin Conrad was born in Sturgeon, Prince Edward Island on July 25, 1894. He enlisted in November 1914 with the 9th Field Ambulance and trained at Valcartier until June, 1915 when he transferred to the 2nd Canadian Siege Battery at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. He sailed to England aboard the S.S. Lapland on November 28, 1915, and arrived in France on June 1, 1916 as a signaler with the rank of Gunner. He saw action at the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, and Passchendaele. He was wounded twice, was gassed at Hill 70, and won the Military Medal for maintaining communications under fire. After the war, Mr. Conrad married Florence Jessie Lantz on September 22, 1923 and established a wholesale food company in Charlottetown. He joined #6 Signals Company as Lieutenant, and eventually commanded the Company before retiring in 1938 as a Lieutenant-Colonel. He re-enlisted in 1940 as a Major with 3rd Divisional Signal Regiment, and served in England and Italy, commanding the Canadian Brigade Reinforcement Unit as a Lieutenant-Colonel. After the Second World War he was appointed District Administrator, DVA, for Prince Edward Island. Mr. Conrad died on August 13, 1986.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 1:38
- Person Interviewed:
- Frank Benjamin Conrad
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- First World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Europe
- Battle/Campaign:
- Vimy
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- 2nd Canadian Siege Battery
- Rank:
- Gunner, Lieutenant
- Occupation:
- Signalman
Attestation
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Our line had been cut
Mr. Conrad describes the circumstances at Hill 70 which led to his being awarded the Military Medal (MM) (conspicuous bravery under enemy fire) for repairing communication wires while being strafed by German machine gunners.
A lot of people drowned
Mr. Conrad offers some general comments about the death toll at the Somme, the horrible conditions at Passchendaele, and concludes by describing in more specific detail his own living conditions.
Gas attacks
Mr. Conrad describes being slightly gassed, and countermeasures against gas attacks.
Maintaining communications
Mr. Conrad describes with pride the role of a battery signaller in maintaining communications among three lateral batteries, and headquarters.
Armistice is signed
Mr. Conrad describes the disappointment of not being with his unit on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, but making up for it by celebrating in London.
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