No. 19 - noted on photograph
This collection of documents and images relating to Gordon Thomas's time in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea includes correspondence with the Department of External Territories regarding persons lost on the Montevideo Maru and proclamations from the Chief of the Japanese Army during the Japanese occuptaion of Rabaul. Photographs from the 1910s and 1930s are of people and places in German New Guinea.
Thomas, Edward Llewellyn GordonHandwritten on verso: Discharging first Diesel truck ex M. V. [Illegible] in Rabaul on 7 November 1938.
Handwritten on verso: McAlpine
On verso, handwritten in pencil: Pacific Publications Friday
On verso, handwritten in blue ink: New Guinea
On verso, handwritten in black ink: Departure of Gen. Griffiths from Rabaul. Guard-of-honour on the wharf prior to Gen. Griffiths embarkship on S. S. Tauda.
Handwritten on verso: instructions for the reproduction of the photograph for publication, and a note: used Dec 1962.
Also written, but crossed out: Queen Emma [Illegible] All that remains of the Ralum wharf June 1962. Appended to verso is a clipping: This is all that remains of the once flourishing establishment called Ralum, on the shores of Simpsonhaven, New Britain.
Stamped DEC 1965 on verso. Possibly a reprint.
On verso: handwritten instructions for reproduction of photograph for publication. Appended to verso, a clipping: Below is the Ralum Club, which was built recently near the site of "Gunantambu" .. Mr John Aquiningo, the club's president, is standing in the foreground.
Handwritten on verso: Queen Emma's old house near Kokopo, Rabaul. Used December 1962. Appended to verso is clipping: At left is "Gunantambu", the residence 60 years ago of "Queen Emma". The building was destroyed during World War II, and now only the concrete piles remain.
Back is stamped with instructions for reproduction in Pacific Islands Monthly
On verso: "A view of the new W. R. C. slip at Keravia near Rabaul. The island in the distance is Vulcan Island which rose in a night after an earthquake some 50 years ago." Keravia likely Karavia and Vulcan Island referring to Rakaia.
On verso: "Lowering the underwater section of the W. R. C. slip x 40 gal oil drums are used as floats x
Postcard printed in German. Handwritten on verso: Rabaul my home is about [illegible] miles from here.
Printed on a post card. On reverse, stamp from Pacific Islands Monthly with instructions reproduction.
The card is made out to Sara Grace, dated 13 Nov 1900, and names the branch as St Pauls W Maitland
Photograph taken by E. S. Merriett, an American tourist, in 1901. The photograph was sent to Sub-Inspector Max R. Haynes of the Rabaul Police Station after an appeal for material relating to the early Police Forces of Papua and New Guinea in Pacific Islands Monthly.
Album of photographs of Rabaul, East New Britain, New Guinea taken in1935. The album has the inscription - “To Peggy Nickle’ with love & best wishes for August 17 & may it return often, Gordon”.
No. 45 - noted on photograph
No. 44 - noted on photograph
No. 43 - noted on photograph
No. 42 - noted on photograph
No. 41 - noted on photograph
No. 31 - noted on photograph
No. 32 - noted on photograph
No. 30 - noted on photograph
No. 29 - noted on photograph
No. 25 - noted on photograph
No. 24 - noted on photograph
No. 18 - noted on photograph
No. 17 - noted on photograph
No. 11 - noted on photograph
No. 9 - noted on photograph
No. 8 - noted on photograph
No. 7 - noted on photograph
No. 2 - noted on photograph
No. 6 - noted on photograph
Photographer G. E. Eves, Campbelltown.
A warweai tadav ra tarai Niu Britin, in Pidgin English, see ANUA 584-7 for English translation
Notice, in Pidgin English, see ANUA 584-7 for English translation; To the Australian military and civilian prisoners of war on the island of New Britain, in English
Notes of decision on legal questions read by Phillips, J. on 29th April, 1930 (Mortlock Islands); Commission of inquiry under the National Security (Inquiries) Regulations and National Security (General) Regulations into the circumstances relating to the suspension of the Civil Administration of the Territory of Papua in February, 1942 - Report by J. V. Barry, K. C. (Commissioner); Senate transcript 26 July, 1945 relating to Papua-New Guinea Provisional Administration Bill 1945; Senate transcript 27 July, 1945 relating to Papua-New Guinea Provisional Administration Bill 1945
2 documents in English, marked as 'rough translation'. A talk to the people of New Britain; Notice. See ANUA 584-14 for the original Pidgin English.
The Christmas card is from K. Zababashi, No 1612, Kayamacho, Nerima - ku, Tokyo, Japan.
The pencil drawing (17cm x 12cm) is of a Japanese woman in traditional dress. Incription on verso in Japanese script.
Letters addressed to Mrs Gordon Thomas are dated:
4 March 1942 (1p, Ms)
8 March 1942 (1p, Ms)
?9 May 1942 (1p, Ms)
28 July 1942 (10pp, Ms)
Printed page numbers 42 - 47 (14 pages) are believed to be written by Gordon Thomas for the Japanese newspaper, Morning Sun Tokyo
7 pages of notes are written on Rabaul Freezer Ltd notepaper.
Letter from Mrs Gertrude Baker; 2 letters from Jim Gibbney of the Australian National University; 2 letters from the Mitchell Library, NSW, regarding donation of collection materials; letter from T. D. Sprod of the National Library of Australia
List of Rabaul Times issues written by Albert Speer, see ANUA 584-6; list of research materials sought by Albert Speer; list of images, see ANUA 584-15; list of documents relating to Gordon Thomas, including some but not all of the documents in this collection; correspondence between Albert Speer and the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society Inc. regarding Mr Thomas's serving as Secretary of that organisation; letter and research documents mentioned within from Albert Speer to Ian Fraser, to assist the latter in a writing project about Gordon Thomas; notes regarding Ian Fraser's research into Gordon Thomas's papers; copies of Christmas card and drawing, see ANUA 584-4, faxed by Albert Speer to James Oglethorpe; copy of an article in the Saturday Post written by Ian Fraser about Allan Pratt
Obituary from Pacific Islands Monthly; Commonwealth of Australia Repatriation Department letters regarding grant of funeral expenses and last possessions; Commonwealth War Graves Commission letter regarding location of memorial in memory of Gordon Thomas and forms relating to same
Photocopy of an article written by Gordon Thomas under the pen-name Tolala and assorted pages from the Monthly regarding Rabaul and New Guinea
June 4; June 11; June 1 ; July 2; July 9; July 16
Permit to leave the Territory of New Guinea for Kate Thomas; Document issued in lieu of lost discharge certificate for Gordon Thomas; Pass issued by the Australian Military Forces allowing Gordon Thomas entry to Rabaul camp to distribute the newspaper the Rabaul Times
Exchange with J. R. Halligan of the Department of External Territories; Letter to Fred Archer; Letter to K. M. Rundle of the RAAF Air Board Melbourne; Letter from Romola McSwain of the University of Queensland
