Series 450 - Frank Gosson's collection of photographs from the Astrolabe mineral field (the Laloki and Dubuna Copper Mines) Papua New Guinea

Identity area

Reference code

AU ANUA 450

Title

Frank Gosson's collection of photographs from the Astrolabe mineral field (the Laloki and Dubuna Copper Mines) Papua New Guinea

Date(s)

  • 1918 - 1924 (Creation)

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Series

Extent and medium

1 album of 40 black & white postcard size photographs

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Name of creator

(28 June 1919 - c.2012)

Biographical history

Francis (Frank) John Gosson was born at Macksville, New South Wales, on 28 June 1919. During World War II, he served with the 53rd Battalion from 19 February 1940 through to 7 June 1943. In 1942 he was involved in action against the Japanese near Port Moresby and salvaged a series of photographs, which predated the war, from an abandoned house near Rouna Falls. Frank Gosson gave the photographs to an ex Papua New Guinea Patrol Officer (KIAP), Robert Cruikshank, who referred them to the National Archives of Australia. The National Archives of Australia transferred the collection to the Pacific Research Archives in 2012.

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Scope and content

1 album of 40 black and white photographs taken by a miner associated with the Astrolable mineral field and the Laloki and Dubuna Mines near Port Moresby. The photographs were taken between 1918 and 1924 and include images of mining operations, storage facilities and a tramway, staff housing for the New Guinea Copper Mine, as well as the general images of the landscape and everyday events, including Rouna Falls, Bootless Bay, farming, harvesting and ploughing, a coconut plantation at Bautama (Bootless Inlet) and a funeral procession.

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Open access

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