-
You must be logged in to Tag Records
Vice Admiral Sir John Collins interviewed by Mel Pratt for the Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]
Bib ID 728011
Format AudioAudio, OnlineOnline [sound recording]
Author
Collins, John, Sir, 1899-1989, Interviewee
 
Online Versions
Access Conditions Access open for research, personal copies and public use. 
Description 1975 Aug. 27 
1 tape reel : 15/16 ips, mono. ; 5 in. 
Series

Mel Pratt collection.

Summary

Sir John talks of his education; his experience at the Naval College, Geelong; the start of World War I; his experiences as midshipman on HMS Canada; kite-balloon training; HMS Spencer; Armistice Day on Whale Island; HMS Excellent; HMS Canada; the Australia; Captain Peter Chalmers; HMAS ANZAC; Captain J.D. Fitzgerald; War Planning Division; ten year rule; seafront defences in Singapore; the Admiralty; Pacific Islands; the Depression and the Australian Navy; coastwatchers; push-and-pull engines; Bathurst class; W. list; war telegram; "Total Germany"; Menzies; Ragnar Colvin; Mediterranean, 1940; Andrew Cunningham; Abysinnian Crisis; Singapore; the Zero fighter ; Brooke Popham; Gordon Bennett; Java; Geoffrey Layton; The Burnie; escape from Java; peacetime atmosphere in Australia; HMAS Shropshire; Leyte Gulf; kamikazes; Japanese navy; Japan's surrender; the atomic bomb; MacArthur; replacement of Sir Louis Hamilton as Chief of the Naval Staff; civilian support for the Navy; Sir Frederick Sheddon; Joint Planning Committee; McMahon; Ben Chifley; prize money prize; Radford/Collins Agreement; national service; navy recruitment; changes in the Navy; US Navy discipline; awards; diplomatic life in New Zealand.

Biography/History

Sir John Collins served in the RAN from 1913-1955. He was a graduate of the first class of the Royal Australian Naval College and the first Australian to become Royal Australian Navy Chief of Naval Staff. He was a naval hero of World War II.

Notes

Recorded at his home in Sydney.

Also available online via the internet at: http:/­/­nla.gov.au/­nla.oh-vn728011

Subjects Collins, John, - Sir, - 1899- - Interviews.  |  Australia. - Royal Australian Navy - Officers - Interviews.  |  Retired military personnel - Australia - Interviews.  |  Retired military personnel - Australia - Biography.
Other authors/contributors Pratt, Mel, Interviewer

In the Library

Request this item to view in the Library's reading rooms using your library card. To learn more about how to request items watch this short online video Help Video.

Details Collect From
ORAL TRC 121/63 Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)

Order a copy

- Copyright or permission restrictions may apply. We will contact you if necessary.

Help Video To learn more about Copies Direct watch this short online video Help Video.
close Can I borrow items from the Library?

You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video embedded.

You can view this on the NLA website.

close What can I get online?

You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video embedded.

You can view this on the NLA website.

close Can I get copies of items from the Library?

You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video embedded.

You can view this on the NLA website.

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.