Steven Marsden Emerson Oral History

Main

DescriptionThis interview consists of seven audio recordings and transcripts. Steven Marsden Emerson was interviewed on 11 October 2003 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Marilyn Gallo (Oshana).
The interview was for the "War Veterans oral history project" in partnership with Fairfield RSL.Interview SummarySteven Marsden Emerson was born at King George 5th Hospital at Camperdown, Sydney, on 1st December 1948. His mother Dorothy, was originally from New Zealand and his father George was in the Merchant Navy. They separated soon after Steve was born and his mother later remarried.

His interest in the Fairfield area began in 1968 when, whilst living in Coogee, he met and later married his wife Pam who lived at Lansvale.

Steve had been working with Australian Gaslight Company doing clerical work at the time the war in Vietnam commenced and in 1968, and as he was not chosen in the ballot, he decided to join the army, although his mother and then girlfriend Pam were not in accordance with his joining.

After the induction at Marrickville his group was sent to Singleton Army Camp. Steve tells in great detail of his time at Singleton and of the expectations made of the trainees.

Steve chose to join the Engineers as he felt that he was not as good with a rifle as he maybe should have been, and at the end of their training at Singleton they had a march out to which their families were invited. From there they were sent to Moorebank for cops training as Engineers and Steve’s role was involved in personnel freight weapons to and from countries and to and from war zones. This training was done at Chowder Bay and after completing his training and exams, as well as learning administration skills, Steve learnt that he would soon be posted to Vietnam.

Prior to Vietnam however he had to go to Canungra in Queensland for three weeks jungle training, and was driven there by bus. Here the men, at all levels, lived in tents and home comforts had completely disappeared. He endured obstacle courses consisting of days wallowing in mud and slush and doing intense jungle training, with only an occasional day out.The training at Canungra culminated with a drop, complete with gear, off a 30 foot tower into a leech filled murky river.

On the night of 22 October 1969 they reported to Holsworthy with full gear and then to Sydney Airport where families waited to say their goodbyes before going on board a chartered Qantas 707. They landed in Darwin for a short time and then on to Singapore which was a neutral country. From there they flew to Saigon where they quickly realised that they were now at war. There were no safety zones and one had to be continually on the alert.

From Saigon they flew by Caribou to Nui Dat and then to Vung Tao, to the Australian task force area. After a month or so there he was back in Nui Dat. It was here that he came in contact with Agent Orange which was being dropped by the Americans to defoliate the jungle so that the Viet Cong could not hide there. The result was that the VC dug tunnels and operated from them. The story of the effect of Agent Orange on many of his mates is told and also of the effect it had consequently on his own family.

His story goes into much detail about life in Vietnam and the mateships that inevitably developed between the soldiers and the stories of the dangers of warfare are vividly told in his story.

The non acceptance of Vietnam Veterans by the Australian community had a large long term effect on him as it did on many other Vietnam Vets.

On leaving the army Steve returned to his old job at the Australian Gaslight Company and found that he no longer fitted comfortably into civilian life. His mental health was deteriorating as was his physical health. He suffered rashes and stomach problems which he developed in Vietnam.

He married two years after returning from Vietnam. His telling of the love and understanding shown by his wife is beautiful and the fact that the marriage has endured indicates her devotion to him and his to her.

Steve’s story is most compelling as he describes his mateship with the other soldiers in Vietnam and later in Australia. At the time of the interview he had assisted many other returned servicemen.

Transcript

Interview Transcript - Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 7

Interview Transcript - Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 6

Interview Transcript - Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 5

Interview Transcript - Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 4

Interview Transcript - Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 3

Interview Transcript - Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 2

Interview Transcript - Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 1

Audio

Interview with Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 7

Interview with Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 6

Interview with Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 5

Interview with Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 4

Interview with Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 3

Interview with Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 2

Interview with Steven Marsden Emerson - Part 1

Details

IntervieweeSteven Marsden EmersonInterviewerMarilyn GalloDate of interview11/10/2003DurationTotal interview 03:34:58Transcripts 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