Series 634 - Allan Flinders Gow collection

Allan Flinders Gow was born in Perth in 1915. He joined the Government Secretary's Office of the Mandated Territory in 1936 and in 1937 had postings in Rabaul, Kokopo and eventually the district office at Wau, Papua New Guinea. From 1940-1944 he was enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) and joined the 2/25 Infantry Battalion of the 7th Division. In 1944 Gow was transferred to the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) as a lieutenant serving as a Patrol Officer and Assistant District Officer in areas such as Goilala and West Papua. He was awarded a Military Cross in 1945 and in 1946 rejoined the civil administration of Papua New Guinea with major contributions in South-West Bougainville, Madang, the Rai Coast and Manus. In 1954 he was appointed District Officer and District Commissioner in Sohano and Buka Island, Bougainville; New Ireland. He was Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Native Affairs in Port Moresby and from 1960s held posts in Southern Highlands at Mendi and Eastern Highlands at Goroka. From 1960s-1972 he was posted to Manus District and retired in 1972. Gow died in 1997.