ryan_box024-tld_f19_02

[inserted] RCA [end inserted]
[inserted] Possible EXCERPT [end inserted]

For Cornelius Ryan
Book about D-Day

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE
INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944, AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6,
1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name? JAMES DOUGLAS MOFFAT GILLAN [inserted]N[end inserted]

What was your unit and division? 1 BN CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT
3RD CANADIAN INFANTRY DIVISION

Where did you arrive in Normandy and at what time?
COURSELLES-SUR-MER
1130 HRS 6 JUN 44

What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
CAPTAIN

What was your age on June 6, 1944?
32

Were you married at that time?
YES

What is your wife's name?
ISOBEL MAY GILLAN

Did you have any children at that time?
YES- SON- ROBERY DONALD
GILLAN- 3¾ YRS OF AGE

What do you do now?
REGULAR ARMY

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
1 APRIL 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?
ROUGH SEAS FOR AN LCT. MOST OF TROOPS
SEASICK. ISSUED ANTI-SEASICKNESS PILLS BUT
NOT EFFECTIVE. NAVY (RCNVR) REQUESTED
SOME OF OUR PILLS FOR THE CREW. STILL NON-
EFFECTIVE. READ 23RD PSALM to CURE MY OWN
SHAKES, AND THOSE OF A BROTHER OFFICER. EFFECTIVE.

What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made
the crossiug? (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).
NO RUMOURS ON OUR CRAFT. AFTER SHIPBOARD
BRIEFING EVERYONE KNEW WHERE HE WAS
GOING. IT SEEMED LIKE JUST ANOTHER COMBINED
OPERATIONS EXCERCISE.