AUDIO

Interview with Colin Alexander Watson

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Date

18, 21 April 2008 - 18 Apr 2008 - 21 Apr 2008

By

Watson, Colin Alexander, 1922-

Reference

OHInt-0920-19

Description

Interview with Colin Alexander Watson. Born in 1922 at Bingley Farm, Methven. Names his parents Janet (nee Duff) and Archie Collinson Watson, brother Ian Morgan Watson and Wife Dulcie Olivia (nee Carleton) and their children Lynette and Richard. Says he has worked on several farms, but mainly the family farm. Talks about joining up in 1941 for World War Two service in Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. Says he trained on horses at Burnham camp for three months, and then went to New Brighton camp and Sumner, Christchurch for coastal watch in 1942. Describes Japanese threat, guard duty, marching and food. Mentions his father applied to have him return to help with lambing. Says he went to Ashburton aerodrome camp for Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Number Two Elementary Flying Training School. Outlines studying navigation, meteorology, morse code, aerodynamics, engines and bombs. Talks about further training in star navigation and radio at Omaka airport, Blenheim and Rotorua. Describes flying Tiger Moth airplane at Ashburton. Mentions linen flax component of Tiger Moth came from Mid Canterbury farms.

Recalls voyage on 'Lurline' troopship to Canada to train at Commonwealth Air Training Scheme school in Calgary. Describes arriving in Los Angeles and visiting Hollywood, and train journey across Rockies via Banff, Lake Lousie and Edmonton. Mentions snow and cold. Talks about Australian and Canadian instructors, flying Cessna Crane aeroplane, night flying, cross country flying and doing beam approach flying using Anson aircraft. Describes leave in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, dances in town and having no contact with WAAFs at the station. Recalls number killed at Calgary during training. Says left Calgary in 1944 via train to Montreal. Recalls leave in Chicago, Toronto and visiting the Anzac Club in New York hosted by Nola Luxford. Says no ship was available, so was sent to New Zealand to serve in South Pacific. Recalls train journey to San Francisco to Camp Stoneman. Talks about voyage on 'Mariposa' to New Caledonia, and then to Auckland.

Discusses experiences of family in World War One and Two as members of cavalry, navy and army. Talks about life post war, death of school friends, award for Michael Ensor and keeping contact with friends. Refers to Ashburton Airforce hut and donating items to Ashburton Aviation Museum. Refers to farming on Bingley farm and retiring in 1986.

Abstracted by - Nicola Robertson

Interviewer(s) - Kathryn McKendry

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016782 - OHC-016783

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Physical Description: Textual files - Adobe PDF

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6041, OHDL-001836.

Search dates: 1922 - 2008

Additional description

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

Alternative form available: Both printed and digital copies of the abstract are available

Use/Reproduction

Public use will require the written permission of the copyright holder and interviewee. There is to be no electronic publication of the entire interview on the internet without prior written permission of the interviewee. His material is never to be released. Copyright: Copyright is held by the Methven District Heritage Association Incorported

Access restrictions

Partly restricted material

Part of

Methven Heritage Project - RSA and Arable oral history project

Format

2 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 2 Electronic document(s), 1 interview(s), 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration, Oral histories, Electronic records (Digital records), Electronic documents, Textual files - Adobe PDF

There are 5 items in total.

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