Clifford Eddy Oral History

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DescriptionThis interview consists of three audio recordings and transcripts. Clifford Eddy was interviewed on 22 November 2003 for the War Veterans Oral History project at his home in Polding Street, Fairfield by Shirley Kingsford McLeod.

The interview was for the "War Veterans oral history project" in partnership with Fairfield RSL.Interview SummaryClifford Dermont Eddy was born in Inverell, NSW in 1921. His parents ran a farm and grew lucerne (alfalfa) and wheat. He had two brothers. At 18 he decided to join the army and after an initial training he was enlisted in the AIF at Tamworth and sent to Rutherford for all training and inoculations in preparation of being sent to war, which had by then been declared on Japan.
After his training at Rutherford in the Hunter Valley he was sent to Wallgrove Camp near Rooty Hill. From there he was sent to Batchelor and Berrimah near Darwin.
Cliff’s interview describes the devastation he witnessed in Darwin after the Japanese attacks. He remembers the cold nights and hot humid days and that they had to be particularly careful of contracting malaria. One of his brothers was captured by the Japanese and sent to the notorious Changi Camp in Singapore. Fortunately, he survived.
Two months after the end of World War Two, Cliff was sent home and after a short time in Tamworth he decided to move to Sydney to find work. His first job was at Austral Bronze and he later moved to British Paints. He then owned a bread run at Cronulla and finally ended up farming poultry in Fairfield.
After the war Cliff married Christina, a country girl whom he knew from school in Nemingha. They had two children; a boy and a girl.
Cliff and his wife have lived in Fairfield for over 60 years and have witnessed many changes to the area. He points out the difference in the road conditions and that they used to rely on bicycles to get around. He has fond memories of the movies at the Crescent Theatre and the many nights they went dancing at various venues.
Cliff’s main interest at the time of the interview (2003) was assisting in the running of the Smithfield RSL Day Care group.

Transcript

Audio

Oral History

Details

IntervieweeClifford EddyInterviewerShirley Kingsford McLeodDate of interview22/11/2003DurationTotal interview: 1:13:00Transcripts availableYesRightsFairfield City CouncilAccess ConditionsAccess open for research, written permission required for personal copies and public use

Connections

Oral History ProjectAll Oral HistoriesThe Way We Were - People of FairfieldLocal War VeteransCollectionMilitary CollectionRelated itemsChristina Eddy Oral History