Memory Project

Allan Backman (Primary Source)

Published Online August 3, 2022

Last Edited November 10, 2023

This testimony is part of the Memory Project Archive

Allan Backman served in the army during the Second World War. Read and listen to Allan Backman’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. 

Allan Backman
Allan Backman
A view of Caen, France in July, 1944. Allan Backman's unit marched for 23 hours to get there and came right up on the heels of a German regiment.
Allan Backman
Allan Backman
Allan Backman
A view of the crowded beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
Allan Backman
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When the war was over, I was in Germany. I was in most of the major campaigns. I stayed in Germany after the war was over for fourteen months, as an occupational soldier

Transcript

I'm Allan Backman. I enlisted in 1942. I served until 1946. I served in Canada, Scotland, England. I went to France in 1944 and started right across Europe. When the war was over, I was in Germany. I was in most of the major campaigns. I stayed in Germany after the war was over for fourteen months, as an occupational soldier. I came home and didn't get out – I joined the Reserve Army. We had a crew of five people, and our main job was to keep everything moving, and we were on the highways most of the time. We were never connected with our own outfit. We were attached, most of the time, to the 4th Canadian Armoured. Things happened, but it's hard to put it together to say that it was something exciting. I just happened: You did what you had to do, and you had to leave. I said before, I'm not a hero, but I was there. I can't say anything more than that about it.