Finally Free
Heroes Remember
Finally Free
Transcript
Description
Mr. Gyselman discusses events immediately following the Japanese surrender. His initial reaction is to head for the mine with the intention of knifing his Japanese guards, who are nowhere to be found. Later he and a friend head to town, hijack a truck and go to a Japanese restaurant.
Harry Gyselman
Harry Gyselman was born on February 11, 1920 in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. His father left the insurance business to farm, but went broke during the depression. After his father’s death, Mr. Gyselman worked odd jobs to support his family. Initially interested in joining the Air Force, he opted to join a friend who was enlisting with the Winnipeg Grenadiers. Mr. Gyselman was a truck driver during the battle of Hong Kong, and was in the POW camp in Niigata, Japan when the war ended. He has the distinction of being the first Canadian POW to reach mainland North America after the war.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Recorded:
- October 10, 2000
- Duration:
- 2:08
- Person Interviewed:
- Harry Gyselman
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Japan
- Battle/Campaign:
- Hong Kong
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Winnipeg Grenadiers
- Rank:
- Private
- Occupation:
- Truck Driver
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The New Uniform
Mr. Gyselman describes being issued a new uniform which is much too small for him. When he, a raw recruit, questions the judgment of the quartermaster who issued it to him, who happens to be a major, the officer gives him a fifteen minute 'explanation'.
Duties in Jamaica
Mr. Gyselman describes his responsibilities while serving in Jamaica, including searching foreign vessels for German sympathizers and performing guard duty at a camp for German internees.
First Action in Hong Kong
Mr. Gyselman describes being on sentry duty at a reservoir when it is bombed by the Japanese. One bomb is close enough to shower him with dirt and gravel.
Shooting a Fifth Columnist
Mr. Gyselman describes the shooting of a Fifth Columnist who refuses to halt when challenged. A search of the body reveals maps of the Canadian positions drawn in ink.
A Stolen Truck and a Broken Rifle
Mr. Gyselman describes commandeering an old truck to be used to transport troops to a new defensive position. Once there, and under enemy attack, he discovers that his rifle doesn't fire.
Who’s the Enemy?
Mr. Gyselman describes being shelled by miniature Japanese howitzers, which inflicts serious casualties and forces the remaining men to retreat. Escaping along a water course, the men are mistakenly fired upon by their British allies. They show the white flag, and are granted safe passage by the British.
Last Action
Mr. Gyselman is designated a platoon runner who is sent to the front and witnesses a deadly ambush set for the Japanese. Eventually, the enemy regroups and a mortar attack drives the Canadians from their position. Heavily loaded down and under enemy fire, Mr. Gyselman escapes. He later notices that his pants legs are full of bullet holes.
Regaining his Sight
Mr. Gyselman describes enduring three weeks of blindness, and being offered a series of injections of an unidentified serum. Choosing to take the gamble, his eyesight returns after a week.
DDT and Fleas
Mr. Gyselman describes receiving DDT powder in the American supply drop, and putting it to good use against the camp's sand flea epidemic.
Pigs and Tigers
Mr. Gyselman describes the butchering of the camp commandant's pig, and having boiled pork the following morning. He also describes the daredevil delivery of supplies by Americans flying single seater Grumman Tigers.
Returning Home
Mr. Gyselman discusses being the first Canadian POW to be flown to mainland North America. He compares the generous welcome of the Americans to the austerity of the Canadian welcome. While happy to be home, he is troubled by questions about other people's loved ones.
Not Patriotism
Mr. Gyselman describes the demographics of the Winnipeg Grenadiers as he saw them, and indicates that he enlisted not out of patriotism but for the steady employment.
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