Joining The Quebec Regiment
Heroes Remember
Transcript
The Somme was on then and the casualties
were getting terribly bad and they
asked for volunteers to go,
see we were mounted,
they asked us to go to them,
if we'd transfer to infantry.
Well anyway, I go to the authority,
they said we've okay'd your transfers
to the Quebec Regiment.
Well I joined in Montreal originally so
Quebec Regiment didn't mean much to me.
So okay, next day give me my travel warrant.
So okay, I got off at Seaford and
oh yes, you go up that hill and they are
right up at the top, the Canadians are.
So I went up there and here I'm dressed
cavalry style and the bandoleer and
my sword belt, britches, spurs -
the whole bit, cavalry cloak.
And I get this off and I see a smart
looking sworder in a kilt parading,
marching up and down, fixed bayonet
going towards the headquarters.
I said, “Where's the Quebec Regiment?”
He says, “Well this is it”, “Ah?” “Yeah”,
he says, “this is the Quebec Regiment.”
I said, “Fine.” So I went in,
saw the adjutant,
“Oh yes we'll kit you out right now.”
Sent me down to the quartermaster.
Well after divesting myself of everything,
I had a male kilt, a doublet, in other words
a doublet is a different Highland one
that's cut away at the corners.
Hose socks, new boots and a
khaki bonnet and equipment.
I'm going from a mounted man to an
infantryman. Well, I said,
“Where's the rest of it?”
The quartermaster says,
“What do you mean the rest of it?”
“Well hell,” I said,
“what do I wear under this kilt?”
He says, “Nothing!”
Description
Mr. Henley describes his transfer from a mounted to infantry regiment, and the shocking difference between the two uniforms.
Roy Henley
Roy Henley was born in London, Ontario on September 29, 1898. After enlisting in Toronto in 1916 with the 166th Queens Own Rifles, he was discharged with suspected tuberculosis. Mr. Henley re-enlisted, sailed to England aboard the horse transport SS Welshman, and joined the Quebec Regiment. Mr. Henley's recollections are detailed, sometimes graphic and occasionally humorous. His experiences spanned many battles; the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Cambrai and Arras.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 2:37
- Person Interviewed:
- Roy Henley
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- First World War
- Branch:
- Army
- Rank:
- Sergeant
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