Interview with Robert Hansen

Robert Haig Hansen was born in 1918 at Dehra Dun. Talks of his British and New Zealand passports, citizenship and residence in Britain. Relates that he was in Borneo at the time of independence and talks of the wartime there. Mentions that his maternal grandfather and father were bandmasters in India while his mother was a pianist and singer and sons are musicians. Mentions the boarding schools which he, his brother and sister attended. Details his family members and their silk business in Kashmir, their house and servants' living arrangements. Talks about food, clubs and sports. Recounts details of his father's death, his mother's remarriage, her move to New Zealand and sheepfarming. Describes meeting his wife, talks of her army background in India and marrying in Britain. Mentions his ability in speaking and writing languages. Recalls working as an unpaid teacher, an RAF pilot, joining the police as a civilian, being the Governor's private secretary in Borneo. Talks of accommodation provided for the Duke of Edinburgh in Borneo and relates that he received an MBE in England in 1946. Recalls being a school caretaker and buying a dairy in New Zealand. Describes his wife's strokes and his cataracts and heart operation.

Awards/funding - Project received an Oral History Grant

Interviewer(s) - Dorothy McMenamin

Accompanying material - Genealogical table for the Hansen family and handwritten war memoirs of Wilfred Griffin, brother-in-law of the Interviewee. Includes photocopies of various certificates and letters.

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008506, OHC-008507

Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2642.

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

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-007693 to OHLC-007694