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Richard Williams interviewed by Mel Pratt in the Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]
Bib ID 2257286
Format AudioAudio, OnlineOnline
Author
Williams, Richard, Sir, 1890-1980
 
Online Versions
Access Conditions Access open for research, personal copies and public use. 
Description 1973-1974. 
7 tape reels : 1 7/8 ips. mono. ; 5 in. 
Series

Mel Pratt collection.

Summary

Sir Richard Williams, Air Marshal, talks of his early life at Moonta, South Australia; his commission in the Commonwealth military forces; joining the regular army; adjutant of the 73rd infantry; School of Musketry, Sydney; compensation to property owners; Flying Corps training; recruitment during World War I; establishment of the Australian Flying Corps; formation of No. 1 Squadron; Salama; experiences in the Western Desert; attacks on Gaza; reliance of commanders on air protection; Beirut; Damascus; German Intelligence; Surasend; air photography; Ross Smith; Hudson Fysh; Peter Drummond; Alan Murray-Jones; AIF fly-over in London; RAF aeroplanes for Australia; return to Australia; establishment of RAAF; civil aviation; Air Council; pay scale and uniform; legislation; RAAF buildings; recruitment; Richmond; aircraft industry; inspection of South African, Canadian, US and New Zealand air forces; parachutes; trip to Queensland, New Guinea, Samarai, Solomons.

Williams discusses the Salmon Report; flying around Australia; Imperial Defence College, London; German and Italian pilots in the 1930s; training arrangements with the RAF; accident rate; Ellington Report; coastal command; RAAF squadrons sent to Britain in World War II; dominion personnel in the RAF; RAAF in the Middle East in World War II; Japanese raid on Darwin ; Jones' selection as Chief of Staff; Canadian agreements with the RAF; RAAF identity within the RAF; civil aviation conference; San Francisco conference; decorations; Boomerang Club; deferred pay; Trans Australia Airlines; Qantas; safety; British aircraft industry; Australian defence policies; F111; Tang Report.

Biography/History

Sir Richard Williams, was Chief of Air Staff, R.A.A.F., 1921-38; Air Officer commanding overseas R.A.A.F. headquarters, London, 1941-1942; R.A.A.F. representative Washington 1942-46; and Director-General, Civil Aviation 1946-55.

Notes

Recorded at his home in Melbourne, between 12 Nov. 1973 and 20 June 1974.

Also available online at: http:/­/­nla.gov.au/­nla.oh-vn2257286

Index/Finding Aid Note Timed summary (23 p.) and uncorrected transcript (typescript, 366 leaves) 
Subjects Williams, Richard, - Sir, - 1890-1980 - Interviews.  |  Retired military personnel - Australia - Interviews  |  Air pilots - Australia - Interviews.
Other authors/contributors Pratt, Mel

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Details Collect From
ORAL TRC 121/50
Copy: Recording
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
ORAL TRC 121/50 (transcript)
Copy: Transcript
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
ORAL TRC 121/50 (summary)
Copy: Summary
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)

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Members of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori communities are advised that this catalogue contains names and images of deceased people. All users of the catalogue should also be aware that certain words, terms or descriptions may be culturally sensitive and may be considered inappropriate today, but may have reflected the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written.