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Gas Attacks

Heroes Remember

Gas Attacks

Transcript
Interviewer: My understanding is that you were gassed during the First World War. What do you remember about the gas attack? Could you describe it to me? Well I remember we were ready to go over the top and this gas, that was the first attack of gas and they told us to wet our handkerchiefs and hold it over our mouths. We didn't have no masks or anything then see, so that's what we did and that's what saved some of us, and a lot of them died through it. Interviewer: So during that gas attack, there were men that died from the effect of the gas? Yes after, shortly after, short of breath, there was no cure that they had, you know. Interviewer: You were gassed as well. Yes, I had a touch of gas, a touch of gas, but you had to get your handkerchief, the word went through to wet your handkerchief, you understand what I mean? And hold it over your mouth and nose. Interviewer: Was the handkerchief, did you make it wet with urine? Yes. Interviewer: And the idea was that it would go over your mouth and that would neutralized the chlorine in the gas? Yes Interviewer: What affect did that gas attack have on you in later life? Well I never got rid of it, I never got rid of it. Many died over it you know, and somehow or another I was too tough, too tough to die, you know. Interviewer: But this is the reason why you went into the woods? Drove me into the woods; I had more relief in the woods than any other job; railroad and steamboat, and anything. Interviewer: Eighty years have passed since the war ended, Mr. Routhier. Are you still affected by the gas that you took that day? Yes, I take treatments. Interviewer: And your wound that you took in your shoulder, did that affect you in later life as well? No, I wouldn't say, I wouldn't say that.
Description

Mr. Routhier describes a gas attack and the after-effects he has suffered.

Harry Routhier

Harry Routhier was born December 6, 1899 in Chelsea, Quebec. He is the third of five children. His father was a steam engineer and his grandfather served in Parliament and wrote the words to "O Canada". He attended school in Phoenix and Mission Junction, British Columbia. He worked on a farm in the Prairies, never finishing school. Lying about his age, Mr. Routhier joined the army at the age of sixteen. After his training in Regina, he joined the 217th Battalion and was later transferred to the 46th Battalion. Mr. Routhier was an active participant in the Battle of Amiens, France in August, 1918. After the war, he worked as a lumberjack, and later resided in Langley, British Columbia.

Meta Data
Medium:
Video
Owner:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:
02:43
Person Interviewed:
Harry Routhier
War, Conflict or Mission:
Second World War
Location/Theatre:
Canada

Copyright / Permission to Reproduce

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