AUDIO
Interview with Randal Springer
- Date
- 4 November 1994 - 04 Nov 1994
- By
- Springer, Gilbert Randal, 1923-2004
- Reference
- OHInt-0406-21
- Description
Randal Springer born Wanganui but spent much of his childhood in other locations as his father was a railway inspector. Recalls vivid memories of childhood and grandparents; life in Papakura in the 1930s; discipline, chores and illnesses; outdoor activities; moving back to Wanganui ca 1937 and river activities; working in cherry orchard originally planted by Mother Mary Aubert. Recalls rumours of war and mentions presence of German Jewish refugee doctor, Rosenbaum; desire to be spitfire pilot; call up for army service, with reference to Trentham Military camp and transfer to Air Force, Woodbourne. Gives details of war experience; travelling to San Diego and San Francisco and Winnipeg to participate in Empire Air Training Scheme; inflight radio operator training and training in gunnery in Sascatchewan; becoming part of bomber crew; first trip in `Halifax'; first bombing raid; night bombing in Kiel, daytime bombing of Regensburg and last bombing trip to Badauslau on 24 April 1945.
Recalls various areas of employment after the war: Forestry work for New Zealand Forest Products at Tokoroa; efforts to be a weather observer; communications at Ohakea as civilian; forest fire control, with reference to bush sickness, forest fires and establishment of rural fire districts and implementing `proper weather stations'.
Access Contact - see oral history librarian
Interviewer(s) - Susan Hawes
Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-007593-007597
Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 5 Hours Duration.
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 1919.
- Additional description
Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.
Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004005 - OHLC-004009
Copies held at Whanganui Regional Museum
- Use/Reproduction
- No public use without permission of the donor Copyright: Copyright held by Wanganui Regional Museum
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted material
- Part of
- The Men in Our Lives oral history project
- Format
- 5 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 5 Hours Duration, Oral histories, Equipment used: Sony WM-D6C: ECM144 microphones
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Copyright
All Rights Reserved
Interview with Randal Springer, printed abstract
Date: 4 November 1994
From: The Men in Our Lives oral history project
Reference: OHA-1919
Description: Interviewer(s) - Susan Hawes Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 5 Hours Duration.
Interview with Randal Springer, tape three
Date: 4 November 1994 - 04 Nov 1994
From: The Men in Our Lives oral history project
Reference: OHC-007595
Description: Interviewer(s) - Shaun Ryan Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 3 of 5 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.
Interview with Randal Springer, tape four
Date: 4 November 1994 - 04 Nov 1994
From: The Men in Our Lives oral history project
Reference: OHC-007596
Description: Interviewer(s) - Shaun Ryan Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 4 of 5 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.
Interview with Randal Springer, tape one
Date: 4 November 1994 - 04 Nov 1994
From: The Men in Our Lives oral history project
Reference: OHC-007593
Description: Interviewer(s) - Shaun Ryan Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 1 of 5 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.
Interview with Randal Springer, tape two
Date: 4 November 1994 - 04 Nov 1994
From: The Men in Our Lives oral history project
Reference: OHC-007594
Description: Interviewer(s) - Shaun Ryan Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 2 of 5 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.
Interview with Randal Springer, tape five
Date: 4 November 1994 - 04 Nov 1994
From: The Men in Our Lives oral history project
Reference: OHC-007597
Description: Interviewer(s) - Shaun Ryan Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 5 of 5 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration.