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On a top secret mission, Alexander Burton and the other sailors aboard the cable ship CS John W Mackay spent three weeks stealing enemy communication cables laying on the bottom of the ocean. Despite operating in an area known for enemy submarine activity, the ship completed its task but Burton and his colleagues were unable to talk about their duties until after the war.

Alexander Burton served in the navy during the Second World War. Read and listen to Alexander Burton's testimony below. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada. 

Wilma Stanley served in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

"It was all equal while we were in the army. The big mess up was on discharge."

Alex van Bibber served in the army during the Second World War.See below for Mr. van Bibber's entire testimony.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Walter Blaszynski served with the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Hill served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Philip Kennedy recounts his experience during the Second World War, including landing in Normandy on D-Day.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Royal Canadian Naval officer William English served with the British Royal Navy during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

After being shot down on a bombing raid and interned as a Prisoner of War, William Mills began a letter exchange with a woman who would later become his wife.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

In his testimony for the Memory Project, William Lynch recounts his experience sailing around the world in the navy. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Treasure joined the militia in 1935 and served in the army during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Jepps served aboard HMCS Glace Bay during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

During the Second World War, Wilmer Gagnon served in the Canadian Forestry Corps, helping to gather lumber for all types of important uses in the Allied war effort.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Winifred Sirois served in the army during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Howard Large recounts his experience of the Dieppe Raid in 1942.

Content warning: This article contains content which some may find offensive or disturbing.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Wladyslaw Pasaj served in the Polish Forces during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Yorkston Marion served in the army during the Second World War.

Content warning: This article contains content which some may find offensive or disturbing.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Carr joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 after graduating from Mount Allison University. He was sent overseas and flew photo reconnaissance missions in England and Italy.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Cameron served aboard HMCS Kitchener during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

William Campbell served with the Queen’s Own Rifles Regiment in post-armistice Korea. He provides good insights into the guard and patrol duties along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea and the unit’s actions if the armistice was broken. His stories include two good anecdotes, one about guard duty on a bridge across the Imjin River and the other about nighttime guard duty at a railway station in Seoul.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.