Front side of record by CBC with recording of Matthew Halton, war correspondent, from October 22, 1943.

M. Halton – Record Disc – 1943

A black phonograph shellac and wood record disc with a yellowed circle paper label attached to the centre of the disc on both sides and two holes in the middle of the disc, stored in a newer plastic record sleeve. The label on the front side has printed two circle line borders and an arrow at the bottom and is from CBC and features at the top the original CBC logo which is a circle with two lightning bolts going from the centre out to the sides, a map of Canada with the word “CBC” on it, and a black background on the bottom half with the words “RADIO CANADA”. The text printed on the front label from top to bottom reads: “SIDE NO. 3   SERIAL NO. 11477   NO. OF DISCS. 3   R.P.M. 78   TIME   START INSIDE OUTSIDE   DATE 22nd October 1943   TITLE M.Halton   RECORDED AT TORONTO BY A.E.c   PURPOSE     USE NEEDLE PRESSURE NOT IN EXCESS OF 2 OUNCES”. The title of M. Halton likely means Matthew Halton, who at the time was a CBC reporter and war correspondent, and was overseas with Canadian Forces from 1940 until 1945. The label on the back of the disc is from the manufacturer and has printed a black circle line border and features at the top the maker’s logo: an angled view of an image of a phonograph record disc with the red coloured text “PRESTO” on top. Also on the back label are printed lines and spaces for writing in, which are blank, and text reading from top to bottom: “TITLE   RECORDER   DATE”.

 

Matthew Halton and his CBC crew was overseas with Canadian Forces from 1940 until 1945, and made many broadcast recordings on records directly in the field and sent them back to Canada. From Dileas, history book of the 48th Highlanders regiment, it is recorded that on October 29/30 Matthew Halton met with the 48th Highlanders in Torella, Italy to try to collect stories from any of the soldiers. Torella was part of a larger series of battles the 48th participated, alongside other Canadian regiments, along the Upper Fortore and Biferno Rivers, from October 1 to November 6, and it is likely that this recording and dated broadcast by Halton is from this period. A quote from Dileas Pg.401 on Halton’s interaction with the 48th: “He found the 48th Highlanders publicity shy. Capt. Jim Counsell told him to try Serjeant-Major Wigmore, who passed him to Sjt. Arnold Lea, who sent him to L/Cpl. Thompson.” (Beattie, 1957)

https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/italiancampaign/torella.htm

 

Note: Presto Recording Corporation was a popular record disc manufacturer in USA which operated from 1933 to 1965.

Associated place
NA
Associated event
Battles of Fortore and Biferno Rivers
Associated name(s)
M. Halton
Era
1939 – 1945 (WW 2)
Location of artifact
Other, Research Room Shelf
Classification
Media

Gallery

Subscribe
Notify me of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments