Interview with Dr. Arthur Talbot

Arthur Talbot talks about his relations after whom he was named, his grandfather's large family and Talbot farm ownership in South Canterbury. Describes his mother's background and interests, his parents' overseas trips, the nanny and boarding school life, bursaries. Recalls the family home, their social life, the Depression and the swaggies. Describes his medical school experiences, the Jewish and female surgeons and the streets named after professors. Describes his conditions of employment in hospitals, surgical routines and eye conditions. Talks about his father and brother's medical qualifications, his own jobs and their army service in World War II in the Pacific, Middle East and Italy. Recalls health consequences of service in the wartime Pacific, Merle Farland, a missionary in the Solomon Islands, and getting married while on leave. Talks about treatment of injuries in Europe and transportation on troop ships. Recalls studying in Melbourne, working in New Zealand and London, names eye surgeons and pioneering eye surgery. Talks of setting up private hospitals and the Society of Ophthalmologists, the National Party policy towards hospitals. Mentions his family's achievements.

Abstracted by - Ann Packer

Interviewer(s) - Anna Cottrell

Accompanying material - 1 letter from D.E. Drake of the Timaru Herald to Dr. Alan C. Hayton of Taranaki Base Hospital. Obituaries of Dr. Leonard Smith Talbot, Dr. Kenneth James Talbot and Eustatius William Barton Griffiths, known as Peter. Biographical notes of Peter Griffiths. 3 pages of facts written by Dr. Hayton on the Great Trachoma Epidemic which affected soldiers based in Fiji.

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009011 - 009013

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2796.

2 photographs of Arthur Talbot.

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