Former policeman Ronald Cornish talks about his time as a police peacekeeper with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Sixty years ago, Australia sent its first contingent of police to UNFICYP, to undertake monitoring duties of Greek Cypriot police. Australia’s contribution to UNFICYP eventually lasted 53 years, with the final contingent leaving in 2017.

In 1965 Constable Ron Cornish of the Tasmania Police was selected to be a member of the second contingent (at the time called the ‘Australian Police Element’). In this interview he recalls his experiences, the duties of the Australians, the challenges they faced on a daily basis, where they lived and what he and his colleagues did after-hours.

The interview was recorded as part of a special project regarding Australian police peacekeeping. A book about Australian police contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations – titled ‘IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE’ – will be released on 16 September 2024. It will be sold through AFP Legacy (www.policelegacyafp.org.au) and the Australian War Memorial (www.awm.gov.au).

Cypriot locations discussed: Nicosia, Kakopetria, Polis, Paphos/Ktima, Skouriotissa, Lefka, Astromeritis, Limassol, Morphou, Kokkina, the Troodos Mountains, the Solea Valley and Kato Pyrgos.

Host: Jason Byrnes

Guest: Ronald Cornish