Des Mayo talks about his army training and experiences serving in Malaysia as a National Serviceman before returning as a volunteer to fight in Vietnam. Des details the difficulties of serving in a jungle environment, and about his experiences of racism, friendship, combat, R&R and other situations whilst serving in Vietnam and Malaya. Des also discusses his difficulty in returning to civilian life, including alcoholism, PTSD and problems and delays gaining access to the benefits he was entitled to. Des also details his earlier family life including the ongoing impact of his mother being one of the stolen generations.

This interview took place on 10 September 2015 in Darwin and was conducted by Professor Mick Dodson 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 viewed here by permission of the interviewee(s), Des Mayo. 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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