Walter Ernest Dalziel Oral History

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DescriptionThis interview consists of four audio recordings and transcripts. Walter (Wal) Dalziel was interviewed on 29 November 2003 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Shirley Kingsford McLeod.
The interview was for the "War Veterans oral history project" in partnership with Fairfield RSL.Interview SummaryWalter Ernest Dalziel was born in St Peters in 1918. His father was John Nelson Dalziel and his mother Enid Constance Dalziel (Shepard).

At the start of World War II he was working as a panel beater at York Motors in Sydney. His earlier ambition was to join the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) but that was not to be, so on 3 December 1940 he joined up in the AIF (Australian Imperial Force). He went initially to Liverpool and then on board ‘Aquitania’ bound for the Middle East. He eventually arrived in Palestine and from there returned to Egypt to a place named Amarya.

In Egypt he was involved in repairing vehicles for further combat. He was then sent to Lebanon and from there to Syria. He was in Syria from June 1941 to January 1942 repairing the bodies and motors of vehicles. It was at this time that the war had begun closer to home in the Pacific area and, as with many other troops in the Middle Eastern campaign, he was ordered back to Australia. On the return voyage he saw a ship that he later found was carrying Weary Dunlop, who was imprisoned by the Japanese, and subsequently, after repatriation, was Knighted.

Wal’s ship took them to Colombo where they remained only a few days before being sent to Fremantle and then to the scenic village of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. From there it was Glenelg for a few more weeks and then off to Glen Innes in the north of NSW. That was fine for him as he could return to Sydney on the short leaves that they were allowed. Soon after he was stationed near Caloundra in Queensland.

In August 1942 it would be New Guinea and here he was repairing rifles and other armoury which were dismantled and parachuted from Dakotas down to the front line troops. Those planes were also known as ‘biscuit bombers’ as they also supplied the food to the fighting troops. Here he heard of the many rear gunners who had been killed when their planes’ tails had been shot off. He was also unfortunate to contract malaria which sent him home to Sydney on a few occasions.

Another of Wal’s postings was at Strathpine in Queensland, from there to the Atherton Tablelands and from there to Mosman. Here he had to do amphibious training. Injuring his knee, his leg was in plaster for about two and a half months. It was while he was in Brisbane recuperating that the war ended.

He shows a good sense of humour, comparing the formality of the British soldiers with that of the Australians.

On his return from war service he joined Burwood RSL and later Fairfield RSL. Wal came to live in the Fairfield area in 1956. He was a coach with the Fairfield Women’s Athletic Club and worked with them for about 25 years.

In 1950 he married and is the father of three girls. At the time of the interview he had 8 grandchildren. Wal’s only regret is that he did not have the chance of joining the RAAF.

Transcript

Interview Transcript - Walter Ernest Dalziel - Part 4

Interview Transcript - Walter Ernest Dalziel - Part 3

Interview Transcript - Walter Ernest Dalziel - Part 2

Interview Transcript - Walter Ernest Dalziel - Part 1

Audio

Interview with Walter Ernest Dalziel - Part 4

Interview with Walter Ernest Dalziel - Part 3

Interview with Walter Ernest Dalziel - Part 2

Interview with Walter Ernest Dalziel - Part 1

Details

IntervieweeWalter DalzielInterviewerShirley Kingsford McLeodDate of interview29/11/2003DurationTotal interview 01:39:47Transcripts availableYesRightsFairfield City CouncilAccess ConditionsAccess open for research, written permission required for personal copies and public use

Connections

Oral History ProjectThe Way We Were - People of FairfieldLocal War VeteransAll Oral HistoriesCollectionMilitary Collection