Clay, Peter Douglas (Brigadier, b.1964)

Collection relating to the Operation Coracle service of 182392 Major (later Brigadier) Peter Douglas Clay, Mozambique, 1994. Clay was the Commander Australian Contingent (COMASC) for the first contingent of Operation Coracle, the United Nations Accelerated Demining Programme (ADP) operation, headed by the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Action Coordination (UNOHAC). The first contingent was unique as the only Australian contingent that worked under the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ).

The collection consists of letters and postcards from Clay to his wife Christine; letters to Clay from friends and family; notes and prompt cards for a presentation given by Clay regarding ONUMOZ; and an identification card from ONUMOZ.

Clay's letters to Christine describe the challanges he faced at the Mine Clearance Training Centre in Tete where, initially, equipment was limited and training techniques were outdated. Additionally he discusses his methods of bridging social divides between both the Australian and other international contingents (such as organising cricket games and other social events), and the Australian contingent and the local peoples (teaching English alongside Australian Civilian Police, and encouraging his subordinates to self-assign "hearts and minds" duties).

The letters also describe his transition to the role of Operations Officer for the ADP, in which he oversaw approximately 450 Mozambican deminers. Initially, he is dubious of the success of this aspect of the operation, and records the challanges faced, such as disputes with deminers over available equipment, and payment. He also faced challanges of absenteeism, and challanges from within his own chain of command. On the occasion he fired several deminers, they were reinstated the following day by a superior.

The collection also consists of Letters written to Clay from friends and family. Many of these express their gratitude for a hotline set up for families to call and hear a weekly brief on the activities of the contingent and personal messages; many of these briefs were written by Clay.

A collection of material relating to Clay is also held by the Official Records section of the Australian War Memorial at AWM260, 17/9.