Working Backwards, Moving Forwards: Ephemera and Diversity in Australian Stories of Indigenous Second World War Service
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Indigenous Australian Military Service
3. “All Prisoners of War Who Saw This Work Greatly Appreciated It”: Corporal Pat Sullivan
One by E.G. Sullivan, who executed the work whilst a prisoner of war at Changi Camp, Malaya. The articles were all designed by himself and worked in what spare time was allowed them by the Japanese on whatever materials were available. The cottons for the brightly coloured designs were given to him by a fellow prisoner.(Kiama Reporter and Illwarra Journal, 1946, 1)
Encouraged by his wife Emily, Aboriginal man Corporal Pat Sullivan displayed three pieces of embroidery created during his war service: a tablecloth bearing the rising sun badge of the Australian Army among an island scene (Figure 2, AWM, REL/03669), a cushion cover with scenes from Malaya (Figure 3, AWM, REL/03668), and a cotton cash bag with a map of Australia and the coat of arms (Figure 4, AWM, REL/03670). A notice accompanying the display informed visitors and judges:
these souvenirs went through the Burma-Thailand Railway now known for its tremendous amount of deaths and hardships. All prisoners of war who saw this work greatly appreciated it, and the owner of these articles feels sure that without their aid in helping to conceal them when the Jap[anese] made their searches, he would not be exhibiting them at our show today.(AWM, 3DRL/6768)
For a prisoner of war, you would normally get a medal group and a badge or something like that; you don’t get photographs, postcards, Bibles, cartoons, poetry, needles, and complete embroideries … It’s very unusual … It’s remarkable that they survived, and in such good condition … It really is a remarkable collection and I’m so glad it came here.
Pat’s ephemera in the Memorial’s collection act as “bookends of his time on the death railway”, tangible examples of his tenacity, creativity, and longing for home (O’Connell, quoted in C. Hunter 2020). His experiences were not unique; the collection affirms the presence of Indigenous service personnel at the center of a broader narrative of the hardship, coping mechanisms, and survival of Second World War prisoners of war.
4. “One Palestine Pound”: Private Bill Enares
5. “Somewhere in New Guinea”: Maiogaru (Gimuleia) Taulebona
It is considered essential that these articles be provided in order that the natives will be encouraged to assist aircrews and any others needing assistance. It must be realised that had the Japanese become aware that the natives were hiding and tending an enemy they would have executed a number of the natives.(NAA, A705, 163/103/239)
This gift of material goods reflected the acknowledgement amongst defense personnel of the value of goods in New Guinean traditional society, as well as perhaps expressing an underlying paternalistic desire to be seen to be providing for loyal natives, given ongoing supply shortages. The importance of goods to local populations was well known among Allied personnel; airmen were often issued kits containing trinkets that they could trade for food, guidance, or accommodation.(Figure 8, AWM, REL/13971)
6. “Farewell, Farewell, Good Fortune”: Lance Corporal Saulo Waia
I thank you very much [for] the present you sent to me. I received it on the morning the parcel was opened. Baba Godtschalk gave it to me. I was very surprised to find my name on something in a parcel from you, something [for] me.
It is unclear if Doreen Godtschalk received the letter that Saulo wrote to her. She did, however, receive a copy of the letter in her husband’s handwriting, with a note at the top explaining, “this is a translation of Saulo Waia’s letter which is written in Saibai language”.(Figure 9, AWM, AWM2017.7.273)
7. Working Backwards, Moving Forwards
Researching the commitment and contribution of [Indigenous Australian] service people has revealed the depth and diversity of this service, just as their service is a reflection of the diversity of the ancient and modern societies from which these men and women came … The shared experience of war and the recognition of patriotism, loyalty, love, service and sacrifice can be a step towards greater reconciliation.
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
1 | A fully searchable database of identified Indigenous Australian soldiers is available on the AWM website: Last accessed 22 April 2024, https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?roll=Indigenous%20Service. |
2 | Where known, specific language/clan/island groups are used when discussing individuals. |
3 | This categorization has since been viewed by many South Sea Islanders as a form of “cultural genocide” and erasure of their distinct cultural identity. |
4 | For a brief summary of Indigenous Second World War service, see “Indigenous service in Australia’s armed forces in peace and war”, Australian War Memorial (2022). |
5 | |
6 | The question of whether this “black-birding” of peoples consititues human trafficking remains contested, but many Australian South Sea Islanders consider their ancestors’ movement through the Pacific labor trade to be a form of slavery and/or intentured/coerced labor. |
7 | The NTSRU comprised 50–70 men, while the Snake Bay Patrol was made up of 36 men from Yermalner/Melville Island. |
8 | Exceptions to this include: AWM, PR01679; State Library NSW (SLNSW), 909095, 266; SLNSW, 422596. Godstchalk, Charles. |
9 | Family tree received from Indigenous Liaison Office via internal correspondence. |
References
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Caines, R. Working Backwards, Moving Forwards: Ephemera and Diversity in Australian Stories of Indigenous Second World War Service. Genealogy 2024, 8, 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020061
Caines R. Working Backwards, Moving Forwards: Ephemera and Diversity in Australian Stories of Indigenous Second World War Service. Genealogy. 2024; 8(2):61. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020061
Chicago/Turabian StyleCaines, Rachel. 2024. "Working Backwards, Moving Forwards: Ephemera and Diversity in Australian Stories of Indigenous Second World War Service" Genealogy 8, no. 2: 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020061