Same Job, No Matter the Location
Heroes Remember
Same Job, No Matter the Location
Transcript
Description
Mr. Candow describes how moving at night made each offensive position seem the same, and explains how duties and the main objective always remained the same.
Gordon Henry Candow
Mr Candow was born December 15, 1920, and is the oldest of nine children. Joining in with the lads he was working with when war broke out, he signed into the navy but was quickly transferred to artillery. In May 1940, Mr. Candow sailed overseas as a part of the 57th Heavy Regiment, and was stationed to Norfolk, Great Britain, performing costal defence for a year and a half. After being shipped to Southern England the 57th was soon incorporated into the 166th Newfoundland Field Artillery Regiment. In January 1943, the regiment was shipped to North Africa. They remained in action until the end of the North African campaign, when they were shipped to Italy where the unit saw action in Fogia, Cassino, Ortona, and Boulogne. When the war ended, he returned to Southern England for a short period and then returned home to Newfoundland.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 02:45
- Person Interviewed:
- Gordon Henry Candow
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- 166th Newfoundland Field Regiment
- Rank:
- Gunner
- Occupation:
- Communications Gunner
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Mr. Candow laments how the Newfoundland Regiment provided support at Ortona, but has never been credited in any writings about the battle.
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Near Miss
Mr. Candow recalls an occasion when he and a fellow signaller came under fire while repairing a communications line.
10 Minutes at the Front
Mr. Candow recalls an accident suffered by a comrade from his hometown, within 10 minutes of arriving at the front lines.
Duties of a Communications Gunner
Mr. Candow describes his role in the 166th Newfoundland Field Artillery Regiment.
One Gun Range for All
Mr. Candow describes how one gun could be used to range a target for each of the 24 guns in the regiment, and explains how the precision prevented incidents of ‘friendly fire’.
Cassino - Waste of Time and Effort
Mr. Candow explains his view that the battle waged at Cassino was a waste, and how the objective could have been accomplished much easier.
Artillery Transport
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What Was It All For? - The Futility of War
Mr. Candow explains his frustration with armed conflict.
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