Viewing Object

Object Description

Object Name

Oral History

Recording

Object ID

SR-211

Title

Jean Ann Dorathy May, nee Monahan, oral history interview conducted by Warren Sommer on 26 Aug. 2003.

Extent

3 audio cassettes.

Date

26 Aug. 2003.

Description

SR-211.1: Tracks 1 - 2 mention the Monahan family, including May's parents Nellie and Sam.
Track 3 discusses World War I. David Robertson, May's uncle, is mentioned. Mrs. Bilton is mentioned. Remembrance Day ceremonies are described.
Tracks 4 - 5 are conversations about early movies and Sam Monahan.
Track 6 discusses Japanese and East Indian inhabitants of Langley. Internment is mentioned. The Takioka (?) is mentioned.
Track 7 discusses high school. Mr. Mansor is mentioned. May's work as a maid is described.
Track 8 continues to discuss the Monahan family.
Track 9 discusses the outbreak of World War II. The Depression is discussed. May's enlistment in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force is described.
Tracks 10 - 12 describe May's training, uniform, and reactions from men to women in the military.

SR-211.2: Track 1 introduces the interview.
Tracks 2 - 3 describe May's trip overseas on the Andes ship. Watch duty for submarines is described. The bombing of London is discussed. Mess hall duties are described.
Track 4 continues to describe mess hall duties. Relations between men and women in the military are discussed.
Track 5 discusses communications with home, including censoring of letters and Christmas parcels from the Canadian Legion.
Track 6 describes May's ranks and promotions.
Track 7 describes relations between British and Canadian women.

SR-211.3: Track 1 describes a hostel in London.
Track 2 describes May's mess hall work. Rationing is mentioned.
Track 3 continues to discuss relations between men and women in the military.
Track 4 discusses leisure activities such as going to the pub or dances.
Tracks 5 - 8 discuss the war's impact on British civilians. Air attacks are described. Blackouts in Langley and England are discussed.
Track 9 describes encountering soldiers returning from Germany. Dances and pubs are discussed.
Track 10 discusses the raid on Dieppe.
Tracks 11 - 12 discuss the end of the war and Welcome Home celebrations in Langley. May's return home and discharge are described.
Track 13 discusses the Holocaust.
Track 14 mentions the American-Iraqi war of 2003.
Track 15 discusses Remembrance Day ceremonies and the Legion.

People/Subject

Japanese Canadians

Japanese Internment

May, Jean Ann Dorathy (nee Monahan)

Jean Ann Dorathy Monahan was born in Murrayville in 1915 to Samuel Hugh and Nellie Monahan, nee Robertson. She married Mr. May.

Monahan, Samuel Hugh

Samuel Hugh Monahan was born on 14 July 1892 to Robert Monahan and Ellen Nelson. He married Nellie Robertson on 13 October 1914. Samuel died on 7 May 1978.

Samuel was interviewed by the museum in 1976. His interview can be found at SR-027.

Robertson, David

David was a Langley Prairie electrician, son of David Logie Robertson. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1888. He enlisted with the 54th Battalion and was serving with the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion when he was killed by shellfire near Ypres, Belgium on the night of April 17-18, 1916. Canadian in Khaki p. 123 (Sommer). Term Source: HPC Record (HPC-341/1111)

World War, 1914-1918

World War, 1939-1945

Opens in a new window.

Argus v4.4.2.32 - Langley Centennial Museum