Box 024, folder 09: William John Elmes

ELMES, Wm. J. Canadian 2nd Div. Box 24, #9

For Cornelius Ryan[crossed out]d[end crossed out] Book about D-day NOTHING THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, L944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. What is your full name? William John Elmes What was your unit and division? Fort Garry Horse 2nd Cdn Armd Div Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? I landed at Calais at first light on the morning of 6 June 1944 What was your rank on June 6, 1944? L/Cpl What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22 years old Were you married at that time? No What is your wife's name? Mrs. Freda Nellie Elmes Did you have any children at that time? No What do you do now? Serving with the LdSH(RC) as a Troop Sgt Lord Strathcona Horse When did you know that you were goint to be part of the invasion? In May 1944 What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had or how you passed the time? I crossed the channel in an LCT it was a very rough crossing and most of the men where sea sick we talked mostly about the landing and what it would be like. What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in). There where no rumors that I can recall except that the beach was suppose to be very heavily mined

- for Cornelius Ryan 2Your name Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No Where any of your friends killed or wounded either during landing or suring the day? Yes Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties: No, because being in tanks there was not much change to mix with one another. Were you wounded? I was wounded on the 8 July 44 Do you remember what it was like—that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? What I was wounded it was more of a surprise at first then of course pain followed. Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else?

- for Cornelius Ryan 3Your name In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either from D-Day? Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard an LCT on the channel. Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944, I cannot recall but we where aprox 10 to 12 miles inland from the point of landing Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY OJ SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAYE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE THEY ARE NO";" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. W.A. Milroy Lt.-Col. Director of Public Relations(Army) Cartier Square, Ottawa, Ontario