AUDIO

Interview with Derek Laver

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Date

21 Feb 2006

By

Laver, Derek Simpson, 1925-2008

Reference

OHInt-0827-08

Description

Interview with Derek Laver, born Christchurch, 25 January 1925. Mentions his parents Noel and Elsie (nee Simpson). Refers to leaving school against his parents wishes, attending night classes, and working for a wholesale grocer. Talks about enlisting in the Navy and basic training at HMNZS Tamaki on Motuihe Island. Refers to learning to sleep in a hammock, discipline, the uniform, and gunnery drill. Mentions visits from American ships, and discusses friction with American servicemen. Refers to playing cricket for the Navy. Comments on condoms being issued and about homosexuality in the navy. Gives details of being sent to naval electrical school at Petone and volunteering to train on Asdic (anti-submarine detection, later known as sonar). Explains what Asdic was, how it worked and being posted to the launch HD1188 in Wellington harbour. Mentions that the vessel was frequently moored to a buoy at the harbour entrance. Recalls practicing on a sunken ship and on the inter-island ferry, and live practices with depth charges. Comments thay they were classified as harbour defence for rations but managed to get issued with seagoing rations. Refers to tobacco and rum rations and food on board. Talks about trips out of Wellington harbour on the boat, including sailing in a storm to Christchurch and a cruise down the South Island to Bluff. Comments on the Wellington launches being sent to Auckland and decommissioned. Outlines being discharged in August 1946, the feelings of others towards home servicemen, and their not getting a gratuity. Refers to returning to his former employer, settling down to civilian life and marrying his first wife Aileen in 1948.

Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching

Accompanying material - questionnaire filled in by Derek Laver; photocopy of article about American servicemen in New Zealand during the War (2 p.); personal narrative about serving on a harbour defence motor launch (9 p.)

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015240, OHC-015241

Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1.43 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5525

Abstract Available - transcript(s) available.

photocopy of photograph of Derek Laver in uniform

Search dates: 1925 - 1939 - 2006 - 1945

Additional description

Alternative form available: A digital copy of the recording is available in the Library's Reading Room. Listening copies are available at OHLCD-1078 to OHLCD-1079

Use/Reproduction

Public use requires the written permission of the donor Copyright: Copyright is held by the Ministry for Culture & 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: Home Front

Format

1 printed abstract(s), 2 C60 cassette(s), 1 interview(s), 1.43 Hours and minutes Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: photocopy of photograph of Derek Laver in uniform

There are 3 items in total.

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Interview with Derek Laver, printed abstract

Date: 21 Feb 2006

From: Second World War oral history project: Home Front

Reference: OHA-5525

Description: Contents: Accompanied by: photocopy of photograph of Derek Laver in uniform; partial transcript; questionnaire filled in by Derek Laver; photocopy of article about American servicemen in New Zealand during the War (2 p.); personal narrative about serving on a harbour defence motor launch (9 p.) Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s).