Interview with Dr John Moore

John outlines family background which includes names of Drakley and Shaw who settled in Kaiapoi near Christchurch. Father became Head of Dunedin Teachers' College which was in Union Street.

Describes his years at Otago Medical School and mentions Professor Billy Benem FRS as one of his most notable teachers. A year after graduating as a doctor John joined the New Zealand Army (1940) and was posted to Trentham before going overseas with the 4th Field Ambulance to Greece. Refers to convalescent depot in Ishmalere on the Suez Canal near the Bitter Islands and Maadi Camp. Later he was attached to the 2nd New Zealand Divisional Cavalry Unit in the desert. Talks about the desert sores which were so difficult to get rid of. Talks of the confusion of the war and his inability to make some sense of it at the time.

After the war (1946), with some encouragement from Colonel Kendrick Christy, John settled in Wanganui and had a medical practice. Describes the profound changes during the past 50 years and details his outstanding medical memories and the increased role of nurses.

In 1986 John retired and became a member of the Wanganui City Council. Describes his association with the Kaumatua Kaunihera with reference to Horo Hipango. John had a keen interest in conservation and considers himself lucky to have had a few articles and poems published in the magazine `New Zealand Outdoors' (copies of these as well as articles written for the Wanganui Chronicle are included with abstract).

Abstracted by - Susan Hawes

Interviewer(s) - Susan Hawes

Recorded by - Susan Hawes

Venue - 176 Wicksteed Street

Accompanying material - Articles by Dr J R J Moore for Wanganui Chronicle and New Zealand Outdoors magazine, July 1981, also letters to the Editor of The Chronicle, 10 Feb 1994.

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006747

Tape numbers - OHC-006748

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1529 and OHA-1529a (Additional material).

5 photographs

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Copies held at Whanganui Regional Museum