Interview with David Keith Norrish

Australian private and NCO served with 2/16th Bn, 21st Australian Infantry Bde, 7th Australian Infantry Div in Australia, Egypt, Lebanon and Papua New Guinea, 11/1940-8/1942; hospitalisation in Papua New Guinea and Australia, 1942-1943; officer served with Australian Army in Australia, 1943-1944; served with 2/2nd Bn, 16th Australian Infantry Bde, 6th Australian Infantry Div in Papua New Guinea, 11/1944-4/1945

REEL 1 Background in Broomehill and Cranbrook, Australia, 1920-1940: details of name and family; financial situation; leisure activities and education; memories of home life; father and siblings; interest in cycling; illness following Redback Spider bite; knowledge of political events in Europe during 1930s; childhood experience of shooting; father military service during First World War. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 2/16th Bn, 21st Australian Infantry Bde, 7th Australian Infantry Div in Australia, 2/1940-10/1941: reaction of parents to his enlistment and advice received from father; health problems during training; promotion and reasons for declining offer of commission; reactions to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939 and Munich Agreement, 8/1938; motivation for joining Australian Army; process of enlistment at Mount Barker and wait for call-up; send-offs for troops in town hall; reaction to leaving home and active service; local recruitment campaigns. REEL 2 Continues: receiving news of overseas posting; pattern of training; details of convalescence including meeting future wife; mail sent to and received from wife whilst serving overseas; story of bullet striking steel mirror in breast pocket; train journey to Fremantle. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Aquitania from Australia to Egypt via India, 10/1940-11/1940: embarkation aboard HMT Aquitania in Fremantle, Australia, 10/1940 and reaction of troops upon embarkation; sentry duties; arrival at Bombay, India, 10/1940; period at Poona, India; impressions of Bombay, India including British attitude towards civilians; contact with civilians at cinema in Poona, India; accommodation; issue of meals including problems with hawks; rations; uniform; leisure activities; lectures; impressions of Indian civilians; voyage from India to Egypt, 11/1940. Aspects of period as NCO with 2/16th Bn, 21st Australian Infantry Bde, 7th Australian Infantry Div in Middle East, 11/1940-5/1941: arrival in Egypt and train journey north, 11/1940; pattern of training; posting in B Coy with brother Private Norman Norrish; impressions of Egypt civilians including care taken of kit and rifle against theft; situation in Middle East, 1941; preparations for service in Greece; description of Mersa Matruh, Egypt; role of battalion at Mersa Matruh, Egypt; announcement of rations shortage; description of supply dump and rations obtained during visit to it. REEL 3 Continues: arrest at supply dump; relations with Corps of Military Police; situation in North Africa; accommodation outside Haifa, Palestine. Recollections of operations as NCO with 2/16th Bn, 21st Australian Infantry Bde, 7th Australian Infantry Div in Lebanon and French Syria, 6/1941-7/1941: advance into Lebanon and first sight of dead bodies; prior recollection of German Air Force Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive-bomber attacks at Mersa Matruh, Egypt; comradeship in battalion; patrolling before crossing River Litani outside Tyre, Lebanon; details of crossing River Litani, Lebanon, 9/6/1941; question of personal morale in action; situation in Lebanon and French Syria; role of battalion after fighting in El Mina, Lebanon; nature of Vichy French forces and defences; nature of action at Sidon, Lebanon; story of sniper in fig tree used for cover; earlier belief that fighting would not occur. REEL 4 Continues: capture of French 75mm Field Gun and prisoners of war; capture of Vichy French troops during a patrol; advance to Beirut, Lebanon; contact with Free French Forces; reaction to defeat of French Foreign Legion troops; opinion of Vichy French forces; air activity during advance to Sidon, Lebanon; artillery barrage prior to crossing of River Litani, 9/6/1941; approach to and crossing of River Litani including opposition faced and role as platoon runner; story of being hit with grenade; reaction to casualties; opinion of campaign's organisation; Vichy French defences on River Litani; help received from brother Private Norman Norrish; reinforcements sent during Syrian Campaign; evading machine gun fire whilst taking a message; feelings of being looked after on battlefield. REEL 5 Continues: reiteration of help received from brother Private Norman Norrish; later story being left behind in jungle at Eora Creek in Papua New Guinea, 9/1942; question of religion and opinion of chaplains; reaction whilst under stress in action and visit to spiritualist minister cousin; wounding during evasion of machine gun fire and posting as sniper; role as sniper including choices made over targets and previous experience with guns; comradeship and morale in Lebanon and French Syria; description of and situation in area; sighting of Vichy French Army troops; discussions with Bob Jones over range; shooting of Vichy French mortar officer; fire received from Vichy French Army mortar; shooting Vichy French Army mortar operators; movement of mortar and continuation of fire; withdrawal from position including story of wounding and reaction; situation on following morning; method of clearing an area; shooting Vichy French Army soldier through buttocks. REEL 6 Continues: reaction of wounded Vichy French Army soldier; artillery fire from Vichy French Army guns; effects of taking cover in trench with dead Vichy French Army Senegalese soldier; story of fellow patient and snake during wait for medical evacuation; medical treatment of prisoners of war by both sides; activities in Beirut including practice firing of Thompson Machine Gun; role in action at El Mina, Lebanon; Christmas, 25/12/1941; reflections on Syrian Campaign including opinion of Charles De Gaulle; situation in North Africa, 1941-1942; posting of battalion back to Australia, 1/1942; knowledge of Japanese threat in Far East; contact with British Army troops. Aspects of period as NCO with 2/16th Bn, 21st Australian Infantry Bde, 7th Australian Infantry Div in Australia, 3/1942-8/1942: battalion role and exercises in Australia; story of meeting machine gunners during voyage from Egypt to Australia, 1/1942-3/1942; activities during leave. REEL 7 Continues: contact with family; outlook on future prospects; question of Japanese invasion of Australia; knowledge of Japanese forces and nature of Australian propaganda; relations with civilians; accommodation in Adelaide; pattern of training in Adelaide and Brisbane; opinion of General Gordon Bennett's activities in Singapore, Malaya; reaction to posting in Australia; opinion of American troops and General Douglas MacArthur; reaction to prospect of action against Japanese forces. Recollections of operations as NCO with 2/16th Bn, 21st Australian Infantry Bde, 7th Australian Infantry Div in Papua New Guinea, 8/1942-11/1942: problems faced during campaign in Papua New Guinea; arrival in Port Moresby, 8/1942; conditions during journey inland; pattern of training and lectures; importance of Port Moresby; opinion of Imperial Japanese Army superiority and reaction to Australian success; opinion of 39th Bn, Australian Militia; planned role for battalion on Kokoda Track; discussion of Kokoda Track's name; march along Kokoda Track; weapons and ammunition carried. REEL 8 Continues: nature of march up staircase built by pioneer platoon; morale; climate; clothing and equipment carried; shortage of rations on arrival at Lake Myola; night stops on Kokoda Track including sleeping arrangements; further details of march; description of jungle; nature of attack at Abuari including first contact with Imperial Japanese Army soldier; reaction to situation; period spent at Lake Myola including air-supply drops; maintenance of morale; nature of Imperial Japanese Army attacks at Eora Creek and Australian response, 8/1942-9/1942; opinion of Imperial Japanese Army weapons and equipment; Imperial Japanese Army troops 'jitter' tactics and response; ambushes of Imperial Japanese Army troops; movement of patrols; comparison between Vichy French Army and Imperial Japanese Army troops; reason for not taking prisoners of war and details of hand-to-hand fighting; question of respect for Imperial Japanese Army troops; opinion of Australian officers including opinion of what makes a good officer; importance of holding fire; opinion of machine guns; situation on Kokoda Track; tactics employed. REEL 9 Continues: details of attack at Abuari and subsequent withdrawal; cessation of withdrawal and details of ambush set-up on Kokoda Track; departure of section without him; crossing of Eora Creek, 31/8/1942; reunion with section; Imperial Japanese Army attack including positions dug and use of grenades; activities after encounter with Brigadier Arnold Potts and 2/27th Bn; advance through Imperial Japanese Army lines; activities prior to action at Eora Creek, 8/1942; reactions following action and to loss of friends at Eora Creek, 9/1942; nature of fighting withdrawal from Eora Creek, 9/1942; relations between General Douglas MacArthur and General Thomas Blamey; opinion of General Thomas Blamey's leadership; reactions to being under fire; wounding at Eora Creek and reaction to receiving sympathy; medical evacuation and treatment. REEL 10 Continues: reaction to being shot; story of wounded Imperial Japanese Army soldier; argument with platoon commander following decision to withdraw, 9/1942. Aspects of medical evacuation in Papua New Guinea, 9/1942: receiving messages from cousin; condition at first aid post; morale; opinion of battalion withdrawal; march to hospital including crossing of streams; physical and psychological state; visit from Craig Farrell and sleeping arrangements; aid help received from civilian. Aspects of hospitalisation in Papua New Guinea and Australia, 1942-1943: arrival in operating tent; preparation for medical operation; treatment received after regaining consciousness; period on ward and return to Australia; presence of of Salvation Army posts on Kokoda Track; attitude to being wounded; hospitalisation with dengue fever and visit received from comrades; process of returning to unit. Aspects of period as NCO with 2/16th Bn, 21st Australian Infantry Bde, 7th Australian Infantry Div in Australia, 1943: fitness training; background to commission and officer training; reason for nearly leaving training. REEL 11 Continues: events in Papua New Guinea after wounding, 9/1942; discussion of campaign including political situation and General Thomas Blamey's 'running rabbit' comment; Brigadier Albert Potts and American involvement in Kokoda Track actions; opinion of campaign in Papua New Guinea . Aspects of hospitalisation in Australia, 1943: physical state and reception on arrival in hospital; relationship with and opinion of Red Cross Volunteer Aid Detachment personnel; leave; life for civilians during Second World War; feelings on return to unit including thoughts about future after military service. REEL 12 Continues: relationship with family during leave. Aspects of period as officer with Australian Army in Australia, 1943-1944: situation on return; officer training; posting to Canungra; changes made to and details of jungle warfare course; reasons for troops leaving jungle warfare course; bayonet fighting training; results of training; rank; story of almost leaving officer training; football activities; commissioning. Recollections of operations as officer with 2/2nd Bn, 16th Australian Infantry Bde, 6th Australian Infantry Div in Papua New Guinea, 11/1944-4/1945: reaction to return to Papua New Guinea, 11/1944; role in and opinion of campaign in Papua New Guinea, 1944-1945. REEL 13 Continues: battalion war history and role in Papua New Guinea; activities with advance party; relief of 19th Australian Infantry Bde; problems with tidal rivers; waterproofing of Willys Jeeps; crossing of rivers by Willys Jeep; travelling on Willys Jeep bonnet as Bren Gun operator; posting with machine gun platoon; Imperial Japanese Army positions and attacks on Jack's Knoll; transport and use of Vickers Machine Gun at Jack's Knoll; story of Imperial Japanese Army machine gunner; reaction to Japanese forces attitude to fighting; patrol contacts with Imperial Japanese Army troops; rest periods on coast; memories of Lieutenant Albert Chowne VC; background to obtaining command of Lieutenant Albert Chowne's machine gun platoon, 3/1945; removal from front line with swelling of head. REEL 14 Continues: medical evacuation in Douglas Dakota; medical treatment; diagnosis of hepatitis; period in Lae. Aspects of period as officer with Australian Army in Australia, 1945: reason for posting to Brisbane; leave; hearing news of end of Second World War, 15/8/1945; attempts to obtain medical discharge; story of obtaining move to Western Australia; process of gaining medical discharge; reaction to end of Second World War and return to civilian life; marriage, 5/1944. Aspects of post-war life and employment in Australia: civilian employment including career change brought about by physical effects of war; settling into civilian life; question of forgetting wartime experiences; reflections on military service.