Barlow, Geoffrey Pugh; Barlow (West), Pamela Helen; Findlay, Marie Amelia; O'Neill, Jean

Geoffrey Pugh Barlow as a captain pharmacist, Pamela Barlow (nee West) and Marie Amelia Findlay as lieutenant nursing sisters and Jean O'Neil as a major Matron, all of 1 Australian Field Hospital, South Vietnam, 1968-1969, interviewed by Lieutenant Colonel Gary John McKay MC (Ret'd)

The four interviewees explain their various reasons for enlisting; the women mention the adventure and excitement; Geoff Barlow says the war service loan played some part in his enlisting; the four provide answers to McKay's questions in sequence and it is not always clear which woman is speaking; subjects discussed include initial impressions of Vietnam, changing into "civvies" in Singapore, the tremendous heat noticed on arrival at Ton Son Nut, confusion caused by the unreality of new surroundings; despite training some still were unprepared for Vietnam; good general nursing training received in Australia invaluable; routine duties done by nurses; interruptions by medivac arrivals; staffing organisation of 1st Australian Field Hospital (1AFH); regularly working seven day weeks; Geoff Barlow's role as pharmacist; Australian forces put on anti-malarial drug Dapsone; most memorable incidents of service; the famous tidal wave incident; Falciparum malaria outbreak 1968; expertise in treatment developed in 1AFH; Dapsone used as prophylactic.