Allison, Errol (Bill)
Production date
Aug 1993
Description
Oral history recording. Errol (Bill) Sampson Allison (1918-2013) reminiscences about his life in Southland from 1918 to 1939. He recounts his experiences during the Second World War with the 20th South Island Battalion New Zealand Army in Egypt, Greece and the evacuation from Crete. During this time he became a POW and was transported to Germany. Liberated in 1945, Bill spent time in Russia and England before returning to New Zealand and a career in teaching. He resigned from teaching in the 1950s and travelled extensively, spending time working for the American Red Cross. Bill returned to New Plymouth and resumed teaching at New Plymouth Boys High School.
Date recorded: 9 and 13 August 1993
Interviewer: Joy Peckham
Abstraction: Joy Peckham
Restrictions: none.
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Object detail
Part 1
Tape 1 side B Recorded: August 9th 1993
007:Describes early life in Gore.
027:Father farming, grand parents were Scots.
042: Father died when Bill was 12. Talks of the Depression, very difficult for family.
055: Working in the Post Office.
085: Transferred to Wellington.
161: Went teaching at Farewell Spit.
203: Went to Dunedin Training College in the late 1939's.
306: Describes joining up with the 20th South Island Battalion.
345: Served with the Artillery.
372: Sailed for overseas.
Part 2
Tape 2 side A Recorded: August 9th 1993
005: Sailed to Fremantle.
Landed in Egypt in February. Talks of experiences in the Greece.
Tape 2 side B Recorded: August 9th 1993
Continues his story of war experiences in Greece and Crete
Part 3
Tape 3 side A Recorded: August 9th 1993
Continues his war story. Was captured and relates story of being transported to Germany.
Tape 3 side B Recorded: August 9th 1993
Describes his arrest. Talks of the Russian advance 1945 and being shelled by both sides. Talks of a visit back to Crete.
Part 4
Tape 4 side A Recorded: 13 September 1993
Was liberated in 1945 and spent some time in Russia before travelling to England. Describes feeling on return to NZ. Teaching refresher course, marriage failure. Went overseas 1954 - describes route. Met future wife in NZ Embassy, Singapore. Describes travelling though Asia (Thailand and Indonesia). Stowed away on ship to Australia.
Tape 4 side B Recorded: 13 September 1993
Finally arrived in Sydney, met by brother. Sailed for New Zealand. Served with Red Cross in Vietnam. returned with Teetar (wife). Describes living in New Plymouth - teaching, children etc.
Interviewer: Joy Peckham
Abstraction: Joy Peckham
Digital file
WAV
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