AUDIO
Interview with David Taylor
- Date
- 29 Nov 2000
- By
- Taylor, David, 1918-2007
- Reference
- OHInt-0729-13
- Description
David Taylor born Dannevirke 1918. Refers to school in Dannevirke, move to Awatoto and later move to Hastings. Briefly mentions school cadets at high school. Recalls Hawkes Bay Earthquake 1931 - sound of quake, reaction of children in school, gas work nearby, effect of earthquake on school swimming pool and on home, sleeping in shelters on the lawn and aftershocks.
Recalls being in Rotorua when World War II was declared and describes process of enlistment. Gives reason for joining 27 Machine Gun Battalion and describes Burnham Camp, gun used by Battalion and leaving Lyttelton on the `Sobieski' . Briefly describes Maadi Camp, leave in Cairo, desert manoeuvres and sailing to Greece. Discusses range of Vickers Machine Gun and compares size of bullets with rifles. Recalls process of evacuation from Greece on the `Ajax' and arrival at Suda Bay [Crete]. Mentions attempted German invasion by sea, air attacks before 20th May 1941 and arrival of parachutists. Describes events on the 20 th May, poor communications, being wounded on 26 May and retreat to Sfakia (Sphakia). Compares fighting with that in Greece. Recalls evacuation on 'HMAS Nizam' and near miss on accompanying ship `HMAS Napier'. Refers to morale after Crete and reason for loosing battle of Crete. Mentions Battalion Colonel [Lindsay Merritt] Inglis and Col Grey of 18th Battalion. Talks about service after Crete in Syria and North Africa. Recalls `breakout' at Minqar Qaim. Mentions Battle of Alamein, [Bernard] Montgomery, Hepatitis epidemic at Alamein and time in Bardia. Recalls returning to New Zealand on 2nd Furlough Draft on the `Mariposa' which was crowded, food on board and Italian prisoners of war on board.
Access Contact - see oral history librarian
Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching
Accompanying material - Completed questionnaire attached to abstract
Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009467-009468
Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s) (+ partial transcript). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration.
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3068, OHDL-001153.
Search dates: 2000
- Additional description
Alternative form available: Once permission is given a digital copy of the recording and abstract are available in the Library's Reading Room. Listening copies are available at OHLC-007200 to OHLC-007201
- Use/Reproduction
- Public use requires the written permission of the donor Copyright: Copyright is held by Ministry for Culture and Heritage
- Access restrictions
- Restricted - Content cannot be accessed without permission - Access requires written permission of the donor
- Part of
- Second World War oral history project - Crete
- Format
- 2 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s) (+ partial transcript), 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract, 1 interview(s), 2 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Electronic records (Digital records), Electronic documents
Click to request to view this item, access digital version (if available), and see more information.
Interview with David Taylor, printed abstract
Date: 29 Nov 2000
From: Second World War oral history project - Crete
Reference: OHA-3068
Description: Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration.
Interview with David Taylor, digital abstract
Date: 29 Nov 2000
From: Second World War oral history project - Crete
Reference: OHDL-001153
Description: Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Quantity: 1 Electronic document(s).
Interview with David Taylor, tape two
Date: 29 Nov 2000
From: Second World War oral history project - Crete
Reference: OHC-009468
Description: Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 2 of 2 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.
Interview with David Taylor, tape one
Date: 29 Nov 2000
From: Second World War oral history project - Crete
Reference: OHC-009467
Description: Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 1 of 2 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.