taking our culture forward

Hector Duff is the Isle of Man's best-known veteran of World War II, having spent many years visiting schools and speaking publically about his experiences during the D-Day landings and more.

Below are a number of interviews in which Mr Duff talks about his life outside of his war experiences, including: his childhood and school days in the Isle of Man, Cowley Crammag in Tholt y Will, work at sea, working as a Station Master for Isle of Man Railways, and his later career in the Isle of Man Police Force.

The interview by David Callister discusses topics including:

  • Childhood memories: parents, food preservation, early school days
  • Career in seamanship and navigation
  • Cowley Crammag in Tholt y Will; local Sulby characters
  • Station Master for Isle of Man Railways
  • Joining the Army at the start of WWII
  • The Isle of Man Police Force: working conditions and pay; the CID

The interviews by Chris Callow discusses topics including:

  • Wells close to the Creggan, cutting turf, manure, making hay, horse handling, residents of Sulby Valley, land ownership, sheep farming (wool, meat, marks etc.), pigs, diet  and schooling.
  • Career at sea, including work on cruise ships sailing to South America and the Mediterranean Sea
  • Career on the Isle of Man Northern Railway, including various work, including being Station Master, at stations including Sulby, Peel Road, St. John's, Kirk Michael and Douglas.

Interviews

When you click play on one of the interviews below there will be a slight delay as the audio file is downloaded. Large files or slow internet connections will increase the length of this delay.

  • Interview with Hector Duff by David Callister (2003)


    Download Transcript of this interview
  • Interview with Hector Duff by Chris Callow (Aug 2014)

  • Interview with Hector Duff by Chris Callow (Sep 2014)

More Photos

  • Mr Hector Duff in 2013
  • Hector Duff in uniform, 1940s
  • The WWII conflict in Europe
  • WWII soldiers eating
  • The conflict in Europe
  • The conflict in Europe
  • Hector Duff with former WWII colleagues