Edward Pitt's interview in Moree

In this incomplete recording of the interview, Edward Pitt discusses his experiences and those of friends in the defence force across several conflicts. Edward expresses great satisfaction in his service as an army reservist in the 1970s and believes National Service should be compulsory, he also notes that in 1971 he was called up for active service but was exempted on account of his position and work with the Postmaster General. While Edward did not himself encounter any racism during his service he believes earlier indigenous soldiers probably did, and he also notes the existence of ‘Soldier settlement blocks’ south of Moree that were provided for returning soldiers from earlier conflicts, but doesn’t know of any indigenous soldiers ever receiving one of these blocks.

This interview took place on 19 June 2014 in Moree and was conducted by Dr Allison Cadzow with Craig Greene as part of the Australian Research Council-funded research project Serving our Country: a history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the defence of Australia.

The interview recording above is made available to be listened to here by permission of the interviewee(s), Edward Pitt. The recording may not be copied, reproduced or communicated in whole or in part without the prior permission of the interviewee(s). Requests for permission for use of this material should be made to the Serving our Country research project: our contact details.

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Updated:  16 July 2015/Responsible Officer:  Director, Serving our Country/Page Contact:  CAP Web Team