Leslie Kenneth Main (Primary Source)

In 2010, the Memory Project interviewed Leslie Kenneth Main, a veteran of the Second World War. The following recording (and transcript) is an excerpt from this interview. Main was born on 25 May 1925 in New Carlisle, Quebec; he enlisted in the Merchant Navy in 1941 at the age of 16 and served as a wheelsman. In this testimony, Main recalls his experience on merchant ships during the war (see Battle of the St. Lawrence and Battle of the Atlantic). After his service in the merchant navy, Main worked as a railroad engineer.

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.

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I was lucky, never got torpedoed. But I used to think about it often, going to bed at night, where I’d be in the morning. You’d never know that. It was so nice to see the sun.

Transcript

Yeah, I wanted to join the Army but I was turned down. I tried the Merchant Navy. The Merchant Navy then [in 1941], we were short of men; like ships, they were short of ships too. So I joined the Merchant Navy. You had to watch for everything, for leaks and had to watch for submarines. If you were lucky enough, you got clear of them. And the Germans, they were well-posted and well-trained. They could hit that torpedo anywhere where they want. At the end of the day, you went to bed; you didn’t know where you were going to be the next morning. It was always that on your mind, what to do. Your best friend was a life preserver. That was your best friend, because you’d never know when you had to use it. There were two bunks in a row; you always had it with you. I used to like hearing the water hitting the bow of the ship; it would put you to sleep, it was like music. Some had it so hard, some so easy. A number were crippled. I myself, I was lucky, never got torpedoed. But I used to think about it often, going to bed at night, where I’d be in the morning. You’d never know that. It was so nice to see the sun.