Overview This interview looks at Ernie’s early life growing at Waimatuku, joining the army, training at Papakura and disembarking for Egypt. He gives a description of training in Egypt and Greece with 5th Field Regiment; Describes fighting in Greece-Crete. Ernie ecame a prisoner of war (POW) in Stalag 8b and discusses his time there. He met Joan when he returned to England. After the war they settled in Winton where he started his own contracting business and Joan was very involved in Plunket, Croquet,...

Overview Mattie’s family lived at Hakataramea until getting a balloted farm at Beaumont around 1915. Beaumont was a thriving community until the railway closed. Grocery, butchery and bakery deliveries were once a week. Mattie describes the effects of her mother breaking her leg, her father’s ill health and her brother Alister’s war service which lead to his death in the Solomon Islands. Mattie took charge of the Post Office and Telephone Exchange. After her marriage they moved to her husband’s family...

Overview In this interview Nalda looks extensively at her family history in Tasmania and their settling Riverton. She details her parent’s hotel, talks of school holidays, entertainment for children at Riverton, her own education and later employment. She reflects on the outbreak of WW2, its effects, joining the army, meeting her husband and his participation in Greece with 23rd battalion. She discusses Gratuities and Rehabilitation Assistance, the building of their first home and family life.

Overview In this interview Mac tells of his family’s early history. He recalls his family’s involvement in during WW1. His parents purchased a farm at Seaward Downs in 1926. Mac recalls his education. After schooling, he started work on the family farm as his brother served in WW2 in Europe and the Pacific. Mac discusses farming at this time as well as general living. On his brother’s return, Mac went to work at a dairy factory. Later his brother took over one of their uncle’s farms and Mac took over...

Overview Hugh talks of his family history, his siblings’ lives and choices. He talks in detail of farming practices, produce and his return to the farm after his time in World War 2 and the benefits of his attendance of a farming course at Lincoln. He describes his time at war in detail.

Overview In this interview Alister describes, and explains various aspects and events in his life. He starts by looking at his father’s employment history whilst living in Wyndham which included farming, operating a lignite pit and working for the Town Board. Alister then moves on to his teenage years and involvement with the Methodist Church before covering his war years with first the 24th Battalion before transferring to the 23rd Battalion. In 1980 Alister returned to Crete with his wife Betty and...