Lorrae Desmond as a civilian entertainer interviewed by Greg Swanborough for 'The sharp end'

Civilian Entertainer. ABC Dance Band C.P. 1/67 - 2 March 1967 to 16 March 1967. ABC Xmas C.P. 7/67 - 22 December 1967 to 6 January 1968. SA C.P. 7/69 - 18 September 1969 to I October 1969. NSW C. P. 8/70 - 19 November 1970 to 3 December 1970. NSW C. P. 8/71 – 11 November 1971 to 18 November 1971. Scene 26, Take 1: Describes first time arriving in Vietnam with ABC Dance band with Jim Gussey, Bobby Donovan, Bev Harrol and Diana Lee, as being scarey, exciting and struck by soldiers need to see people from home. Decided to return for Christmas and describes reception from soldiers. Previous experience with British War Office to Egypt and Kenya and knew how important it was to the troops. Australian morale high compared to American’s. Mixed repertoire of songs, the favourite being ‘Leaving on a jet plane’ because the men usually flew home. Easier to move around and access more isolated soldiers in places such as Horseshoe when travelling in a smaller group, but worked harder. Scene 25, Take 1, roll 80: Describes crossing the Australian coast line in a plane with soldiers coming home. Lasting memories of terrible war and reception when arriving home. Explains why the Australian shows performed for Americans were better received than those of their own performers. Enemy were listening to the shows and describes artillery coming in over the stage. Went to hospitals and did a lot of travelling over long distances socializing with as many of the soldiers as possible. Too busy to think about the danger. Describes being caught in ‘suicide alley’. Scene 25, Take 3: Disapproves of entertainers being used for political purposes as in Gough Whitlam’s campaign. Scene 25, Take 4; Remembers fulfilling a need in soldiers by providing a link with home.