Interview with Joe Blackie

Joe Blackie was born in Dunedin in 1911. Recalls education in Balclutha and at Caversham High School, running away from home, cutting flax as first job then taking variety of farm, labouring and outdoors work at Manuka Creek, Ettrick, Outram, Franz Joseph, Waiheka, Bruce Bay, Martin's Bay and Hollyford. Details wages, cost of living, walking to different areas. Describes training for the Territorial Army Reserves, medical discharge and working as instructor for Home Guard at Godfrey Head. Mentions Fred Jones, Minister of Defence.

Talks about going to sea in 1940 with the New Zealand Shipping Co on the Surrey and returning from the United Kingdom on the Hurunui. Details torpedoing of the Hurunui, being picked up by the St. Margaret, transfer to Royal Navy ship, return to Glasgow and London and survivor's leave. Mentions British Sailors Society. Talks about later ships: the Ormonde; the troopship Almanzara; the Framlington Court; the Reino del Pacifico; the Sydney Star.

Recalls joining the Royal Air Force, then working at Lockheed Aircraft works in Renfrew before returning to sea. Recounts hospitalisation in Rangoon due to tuberculosis, final discharge and returning to England as Distressed British Seaman. Talks about Hugh Hogarth & Sons, the Empire Duchess, the Highland Monarch, the Baron Ramsay and the Liberty ships at Gibraltar in 1945. Discusses incidents at sea, wages, final discharge from Merchant Navy and difficulties getting service medals.

Outlines various jobs after the war in the United Kingdom. Recalls joining the Royal Marines during the Berlin Airlift. Talks about being in London for the Coronation in 1953. Describes returning to New Zealand on the Captain Cook as an assisted immigrant. Talks about Blackie and Harrington families. Outlines brother's academic career and position as former Director General of Agriculture in Hong Kong.

Interviewer(s) - Stan Kirkpatrick

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.45 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4442.

Search dates: 1994

Alternative form available: Listening copies are available at OHLC-007541 to OHLC-007542