Hilda Connors' interview in Newcastle

Hilda Connors discusses her father, Frederick John Blair and his service during World War 2. Hilda believes that Frederick and other aboriginal men were forcibly taken into the army and sent to serve in Turkey. She discusses her father’s reticence after returning, and the lack of recognition he and other men received when they returned home. Hilda discusses her father’s successful efforts to be able to drink in a hotel, and her continuing hopes for greater awareness and recognition of aboriginal service in Australia’s history, in particular for the younger generations to learn this history in school.

This interview took place on 18 September 2014 in Newcastle and was conducted by Professor John Maynard 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), Hilda Connors. 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