Michael Whitby to discuss the Second World War diaries of Commander A.F.C. LayardOttawa, Ontario, April 3, 2006 — Michael Whitby, Senior Naval Historian at the Canadian National Defence Headquarters, will discuss his research into Royal Canadian Navy Commander A.F.C. Layard's personal diaries, which has been issued by UBC Press under the title Commanding Canadians: The Second World War Diaries of A.F.C. Layard.
From UBC Press:
Commander A.F.C. Layard, RN, wrote almost daily in his diary, in bold, neat script, from the time he entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1913 until his retirement in 1947. The pivotal 1943–1945 years of this edited volume offer an extraordinarily full and honest chronicle, revealing Layard's preoccupations, both with the daily details and with the strain and responsibility of wartime command at sea.
Enhanced by Michael Whitby's explanatory essays, the diary sheds light on the inshore anti-submarine campaign in British waters; discusses pivotal events such as the invasions of North Africa and Normandy and convoys to Russia; describes encounters with important personalities; and records the final surrender of German U-Boats. It is a highly personal piece of history that greatly enhances our understanding of the Canadian naval experience and the Atlantic war as a whole.
WHAT: Lecture by Michael Whitby on his book, Commanding Canadians
WHERE: Ateliers C & D, Canadian War Museum
WHEN: Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m.
Admission to the Canadian War Museum is free every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The CWM attempts to help all Canadians understand their country's military history in its personal, national, and international dimensions. It emphasizes the human experience of war to explain the impact of organized human conflict on Canada and Canadians past and present, and how, through war, conflict, and peace support operations, Canadians have affected, and have been affected by, the world around them. Special exhibitions and programmes also explore non-Canadian and general themes related to the human experience of war and the subject of armed conflict, past and present.
Information (media):
Christina Selin
Senior Media Relations Officer
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: (819) 776-8607
E-mail: mailto:christina.selin@warmuseum.ca
Pierre Leduc
Communications Officer
Canadian War Museum
Phone: (819) 776-8608
E-mail: mailto:pierre.leduc@warmuseum.ca
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