The life story of Derek Blundell Distel (1939-2008), dictated between April and September 2008 to volunteer biographer Jane Lamb for the Eastern Palliative Care Biography Service, and published in November 2008 - a month after he died. First-person throughout, with his wife Pat and his daughter Judy speaking in it too.
52 pages. Click a page to read it.
Before you quote a date from it
Pat left a note recording that Derek got facts wrong because he was ill when he dictated this. She was right: the events are sound, the dates drift. His life in dates gives the corrected chronology.
Frontispiece
Page 01 - Memorial page for Derek Distel (1939 - 2008).
The family history - Villingen and the German cousins
Page 02 - Derek Distel's family history, typed narrative.
Page 19 - Photograph of a man and woman standing outside a brick building, approximately late 1950s.
The Air Force - Richmond and Kurrajong
Page 20 - Photograph and text. Photo labeled 'PROUD FATHER' shows man holding child.
Page 21 - Titled 'EARLY FAMILY LIFE' with photographs and text.
Page 22 - Hercules aircraft work, military acquisition, Air Force and army aircraft assignments, E Services training on aircraft.
Page 23 - Training Qantas crews on E Services (major aircraft servicing), D Service, and tank repair work at Richmond.
Page 24 - Father's visit to Currajong while narrator was stationed at Richmond, and father's trip back to Germany by steamship.
East Sale, England and the trip to Germany
Page 25 - A military promotion and move to Sale, Australia, with details about transporting a boat and family by car.
Page 26 - The memoir with details of military career progression, aircraft maintenance work, and training in England for the 748 aircraft.
Page 27 - Aircraft engineering, followed by 'TRIP TO GERMANY' section with photograph of three men outdoors.
Page 28 - Photograph of a woman seated indoors, followed by text about family butcher shop, visit to Bernhardt and Agnes, uncles, and travel to Austria and Black Forest.
Page 29 - Near-miss airplane crash involving Derek, and an incident with a DC3 emergency landing at Sale due to fuel shortage.
Ferntree Gully
Page 30 - Two sections: 'GUESS WHO'S COME TO DINNER?' about bringing home an Aboriginal man, and 'FERNTREE GULLY' about buying first house in Melbourne area in late 60s for $8500.
Page 31 - Announcing birth of son William in early 1974, with photograph labeled 'DEREK AND PAT AT DINNER MALAYA 1975' showing the couple at a dining table.
Butterworth Air Force Base, Malaysia
Page 32 - Photograph of man and woman indoors, color-shifted with reddish cast.
Page 33 - Posting to Butterworth Air Force Base in Malaysia, family relocation with Will (less than one year old) and Colan, accommodation, job disappointment...
Page 34 - Family memories from Penang/Butterworth posting, with extensive quotes from daughter Judy about amah (maid), activities, swimming, clothes-making, weather incidents...
Page 35 - Memories of life in Malaysia including malaria prevention, heat, ice cream, a holiday to Cameron Highlands, and the family's domestic helper Lechimee.
Page 37 - Military career progression, promotions to Flight Sergeant and Warrant Officer, experiences traveling overseas, and stories from postings including Egypt.
23 Lansell Road, Mooroolbark
Page 38 - Postings to Rathmines Air Force Base, the decision to build a house at 23 Lansell Road in Mooroolbark, the design and construction challenges...
Page 39 - The temporary rental period before house completion, children's activities (Colan's chemistry experiments, driving lessons), car accidents...
Beaufort, Victoria
Page 40 - The move to Beaufort, Victoria to start a grocery store business (Foodmaster/Foodworks) in 1982, the family arrangement with son Will and grandson, house building...
Page 41 - Color photograph from 1988 showing seven family members (Derek, Uncle Alf, Grant, Will, Cousin Peter...
Retirement, Europe and Woori Yallock
Page 42 - Color photograph from Christmas 2006 showing a large family group gathered outdoors in a garden setting under green foliage.
Page 43 - Sepia-toned vintage photograph showing two elderly women (identified as the author's Aunt Agnes and presumably a cousin or family member) standing indoors.
Page 44 - Sepia-toned vintage photograph showing a group of five adults and one child seated at a dining table indoors, apparently toasting (caption reads 'CHEERS!').
Page 45 - A photograph of four people seated at a table, with narrative text about family travels to Europe, Pat's genealogical research in Ireland, and daughter Judy's solo trip.
Page 46 - Color photograph of approximately 8-10 family members of various ages standing outdoors in front of trees, labeled 'THE DISTELS'.
Page 47 - Color photograph of Desiree and Michael at an event in Singapore (2008), with accompanying text about Eileen Grove's impressions of living in Woori Yallock, Australia.
Page 48 - Photograph of an older woman (Pat) and man (Derek) indoors, with philosophical quote beneath the image.
Background notes and maps
Page 49 - Descriptive historical and geographical background notes on Villingen, Germany, detailing its location in the Black Forest, medieval architecture...
Page 50 - Historic bird's-eye view map/sketch of Villingen from 1685, showing medieval town layout with fortifications and buildings...
Page 51 - Road map of the Walpa, Victoria region in Australia, showing towns, roads, and geographic features including Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance.
Colophon
Page 52 - Colophon/publication page identifying Derek Distel as author, Jane Lamb as volunteer biographer, and Eastern Palliative Care as publisher, with contact details.