Abstract

TBC 

Abstract

Abstract 

Having worked for 11 years at what was The Ranfurly Veterans Home and Hospital in Three Kings, I became very aware of the human cost of combat. Either in or close to active combat the human cost is considerable. Then as now there was little effective support for the veterans as the transitioned to civilian life. This became the basis for my doctoral research. How did the combat experience affect the veterans over the life course. I concentrated on Royal New Zealand Air Force WW2 aircrew who served in Europe or the Pacific. All the interviewees were in their 80^thor 90^th decade of life at interview. The Interviewees were 24 in number and family and friends of each were also interviewed. Intensive training, the fear of failure, camaraderie, devastating loss, humour, resilience, survival and lady luck were dominant themes.

This presentation reflects the results of that research, which is being published by Heritage Press.

men: extraordinary times. An exploration of the impact of combat experience in World War Two Royal New Zealand Air Force Crew. The impact of was across the life course from the perspectives of veterans, their spouse/ partner, siblings, children and grandchildren. 

Biography 

Barbara Smith was a nurse, nurse educator and remains an enthusiastic historian. She was the last charge tutor of a hospital board three-year general nursing programme in New Zealand, and co-authored the book, Nurses of Auckland, 1883-1990. She worked as a quality coordinator in residential care for 22 years, and during this time pursued further post graduate education through the School of Nursing at the University of Auckland.