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.

• Listen to Hilda’s interview in Newcastle;
• Return to the Newcastle Yarn Up page.