Vietnam War oral history project

Forty seven interviews with Vietnam veterans and their families, including medical and other civillian personnel. The interviewees of part I are George Babbington, Raymond Beatson, Noel Bell, Geoffrey Braybrooke, Louis Brown, Terrance Brown, Terry Burch, Peter Christian, Margaret Couldrey, Frederick Daniel, Maurice Dodson, Richard Easton, Terry Findlay, Hawea (Guv) Grey, Michael Harvey, Terrence Hughes, John (Doc) Mountain, Richard Mountfort, Deborah Mullen, Roger Pearce, George and Maree Preston, Matu Rangiuia, Brian Senn, Peter Stitt, William Walker, Christopher (Watty) Watkins, David Weston, Allan White, Bruce Young.

Interviewees of part II are Maureen Atkinson, Audrey Brassey, Hukarere Pereto (Sugar Brassey), Colleen Brooker, Terry Burch, Father John Carde, Wayne Chester, Craig Cocker, William Cowan, Ernie Dix, Elizabeth Flanagan, Kevin Flanagan, Alan Fletcher, Norman Foley, Peter and Colleen Foster, John Gillies, George Gordon, Isabel Harris, Jack Hayes, Sandra Hyaes, Tuakau Hunter, Dr John Inder, Margaret Jupp (nee Torrey), Ross Lee, Bryan Lichtwark, Linda Lilley (nee Wilson), John Longman, Campbell Maclaurin, Bernadette O'Neill, Allan Plaisted, Richard (Dick) Shepherd, Gary Shields, Peter Skidmore, Lindsay Skinner, Peter Slape, Robert Thorpe, Eruera (Edward) Timu, Gerard Verkaaik, Rapa Whiu, Mike Wicksteed, Avis Wilkes and Frank Wydur.

Topics covered in the interviews include: Military training - school cadets, Territorial and Regular Force; Preparation for Vietnam in Malaya; Journey to and arrival in Vietnam and impressions of countryside, culture, impact of the war; Living conditions and daily routine, health issues, contact with family; Operations in the jungle and at the Horseshoe including: living conditions, kit and rations, equipment, impact of weather, discipline issues, contacts with the enemy (worst & best moments); Contact and relationship with the Vietnamese population - civilians, Montagnards, ARVN and white mice; impressions of enemy (Viet Cong, North Vietnamese); Behaviour and relationship of NZ and Allied Forces including alcohol and drug use and discipline; Impressions of Australian and American Forces; Social activities, and rest and recreation in Bangkok and Singapore; Visits of VIPs and contact with media; Exposure to Agent Orange and thoughts on defoliant issue; Return to New Zealand, feelings about the protest movement; Reflections on the Vietnam War, including impact on themselves and their families; Significance of Parade 98, Tribute 08 and 2008 Crown Apology.

Interviewer(s) - Brenton Beach, Helen Bollinger, Loreen Brehaut, Patricia Cutforth, Carol Dawber, Paul Diamond, Jacquie Foley, Susan Fowke, Helen Frizzell, Judith Fyfe, Claire Hall, Louisa Knight, Gill Minogue, Pip Oldham.

Arrangement: Digital audio files arranged as OHDL-000458 to OHDL-000480; OHDL-001280 to OHDL-001319

Digital abstracts (part I) arranged as OHDL-000481 to OHDL-000527

Digital image files (part I) arranged as OHDL-000850, OHDL-000851 (Fr Stachurski's diary and notebook); OHDL-000852 to OHDL-000894 (digital photographs of interviewees)

Digital abstracts and images for part II arranged as OHDL-001320 to OHDL-001329, OHDL-001519 to OHDL-001594

Quantity: 192 Electronic document(s) (87 abstracts and transcripts). 180 C60 cassette(s). 180 digital photograph(s). 120 interview(s). 63 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 29 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). 9 electronic scan(s) of original colour photographic print(s). 2 C90 cassette(s).

Search dates: 2007 - 2010

Processing information: Interviews described - but some have brief records

Digital component of collection is currently being processed by staff