Organization of the 5th Division to combat the Japanese.

Mr. Manson describes his role as a medical officer in British Columbia during the Second World War, first screening Air Force personnel and then as Chief Medical Officer for several field hospitals on the BC coast, which had been established because of the threat of Japanese invasion.

Arthur Bennett Manson

Arthur Manson was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia on March 5, 1899, as the second of three children. His father worked as a lumberman, then became a provincial politician, moving his family to Fort Simpson and finally to Prince Rupert. The family moved to Victoria when his father became BC’s Minister of Agriculture. Arthur Manson’s older brother had enlisted as a machine gunner and had attained the rank of lieutenant. Mr. Manson enlisted at Victoria in March, 1917, stating that it was “the thing to do.” He trained in Petawawa, Ontario as an artilleryman, and did the same at Whitley in England. However, he was spared front line duty by being attached to 2nd Brigade Headquarters. After the armistice, Mr. Manson joined the army of occupation in Germany. When he returned to Canada, Mr. Manson obtained his medical degree and practiced medicine in British Columbia. When the Second World War was under way, he joined the Forces as a Medical Officer in BC in response to the perceived threat from Japan.

Medium:

Video

Owner:

Veterans Affairs Canada

Duration:

3:38

Person Interviewed:

Arthur Bennett Manson

War, Conflict or Mission:

First World War

Location/Theatre:

Europe

Branch:

Army

Units/Ship:

2nd Brigade Headquarters

Occupation:

Adjutant

Copyright / Permission to Reproduce