Interview With Kathleen (Katie )Iris Quan Mane In 1998 By Kaylene Poon

Summary

Kathleen (Katie) Quan Mane, (Toi Hai, (mandarin name, Quan Cai Di) second generation Chinese Australian, speaks of her family background - her grandparents, parents’ names, dates, places of birth, marriage, children; mentions primary schools attended; secretarial college in Sydney; office work in Sydney (1943); joined Air Force (1945), discusses involvement in Air Force, and cipher course Melbourne; working in Discharge Office; joined United Nations office; 1946 went to China (flight took 5 days) worked as secretary; impressions of China and adjusting to Chinese lifestyle; marriage, husband study in America and her children; return to China for 30 years; Communists / Peoples Liberation Army /Chinese Civil war; 1960's - Cultural Revolution and re-education, living conditions, difficulties experienced living and leaving China. Discusses Chinese joining the Armed Forces during the WW2. This interview forms part of the research for the book, Courage and Service Oral History project for the book, ourage and service : Chinese Australians and World War II.