Guide to Archives Relating to the Second World War in the Northern Territory
Group watching a raid and dog fights in progress sometime in late or middle 1942. Soldier second from right is Sergeant Peter Harris from Brisbane
NORTHERN TERRITORY ARCHIVES SERVICE
Rex Caudle, NTRS 284/P1, photo number 86
The build up of a defence presence in the Northern Territory began slowly with the construction of the Stokes Hill oil tanks in 1926 and the gradual establishment of bases for the navy, army and air force in the 1930s. Although this defence build up increased with the outbreak of war in Europe, the general historic view is however that these efforts fell short of what was really needed.
The first two air raids in Darwin by the Japanese were on 19 February 1942 when at least 240 people were killed and between 300 and 400 wounded. This was the first attack by a foreign power on the mainland of Australia. There were 47 vessels in the harbour when the first raid began and there was considerable damage sustained. By November 1943 there had been a total of 64 air raids on Darwin.
Holdings at the Northern Territory Archives Service relating to World War 2 and the bombing of Darwin are personal records consisting of oral histories, photos and personal papers
Although some of Northern Territory Archives Service government files relate more or less directly to the war, for relevant government records on this topic consult National Archives of Australia (http://www.naa.gov.au/the_collection/defence.html) and the Australian War Memorial (http://www.awm.gov.au/index_flash.asp)
This guide is by no means comprehensive and will be updated periodically as further material is located within our holdings or deposited with Northern Territory Archives Service.
The series of records listed here may not all be immediately available on open public access. NT Archives staff can advise further in this regard.
Personal Achives Including Oral Histories
The personal records are listed according to the surname of the person who created or deposited the records with the NT Archives Service. The series listed in this category predominantly comprise personal papers and photographs.
The oral history records are listed against the name of the person who has been interviewed. The interviews are in the format of tapes, CDs and transcripts.
ACLAND, Bruce
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 677
ANGELES, Elna Annie
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during World War 2 1942 (CP 895-897)
ATKINSON, Frank
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 153
AUSTRALIAN ARMY
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of the Darwin Construction Party
BAIRD, Tom
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 155
BEARD, Ron
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 685
BERRY, L M
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 12
BIRT, Gordon
NTRS 850 Manuscript, "Letters from Wartime Darwin" 1941-1943
BOWIE, Syd
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS440
BROWN, Edwin
NTRS 1416 Photographic copyprints of RAAF Squadron journey to Darwin RAAF Base and Reunions 1941-1987
BROWN, Frank Agnew
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 469
BROWN, W
NTRS 541 Photocopies of personal and organisational records with 'PC' prefix (PC1 Brown, W - Darwin diary 1941)
BROWN, W.S. (Stan)
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during World War 1 and other Top End locations c.1912-1920
BURSTOW, Tom
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 23
CANNOCK, George
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 699
NTRS 1412 Photographic copyprints of RAAF No. 13 Squadron 1940-1942
CASSIDY, John
NTRS 1672 Photographic copyprints of NT Patrol Boat Service and bombing of Darwin during World War 2 1937-1942
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 564
CAUDLE, Garner Rex
NTRS 284 Personal photographs and records relating to Darwin during World War 11
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 26
CHAN, Albert
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 376
CHIN, Ray
NTRS 219 Oral history interview TP 448
CHIPMAN, T. William (Bill)
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 687
NTRS 1399 Programme - Melville Theatre, Darwin 1944
NTRS 1419 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and crew of H.M.A.S. " Kangaroo" 1941-1944
CLARK, Brother Basil
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and Missions 1937+ (CP 888-894)
CLEGG, Don
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 177
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during WW2 1942 (CP 57-61)
COBLE, George Samuel
NTRS 1732 Copy of Combat Diary and Flight Records during World War 2 in the Top End and New Guinea 1942-1943
COLLIER, Ronald H.
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 460
CORNELIUS, Donald & Brian
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 1004
COX, Leo
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 33
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during WW2 1941(CP 56)
COWDEN, W.E.
NTRS 1403 Photographs of Darwin and Daly Waters during World War 2 1942-1943
CUBILLO, Dolph
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 424
CUDDIHY, Letty
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 697
DAMASO, Babe
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 185
DARKEN, Robert (Bob)
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 768
DAVIDSON, Charles
NTRS 289 Personal photographs of Alice Springs and Darwin 1942
DAWSON, Anne (Aynslie) (nee Steeles)
NTRS 1959 List of album pages, 1942-1949
NTRS 1960 Photocopies of photographs and memorabilia relating to entertainers in World War 2 in the Northern Territory 1942-1999
NTRS 1961 Negatives of photographs relating to entertainers during World War 2 in the Northern Territory 1942-1999
NTRS 1962 Scanned images relating to entertainers during World War 2 in the Northern Territory 1942-1999
DEDMAN, W J (Bill)
NTRS 1420 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during World War 2 1939-1942
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 692
DICK, Nell
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 792
DICKSON, Thomas Anderson
NTRS 1352 Photographs of Vesteys Barracks and servicemen in Darwin during World War 2 c.1942-1945
DILLON, C.C (Cec)
NTRS 1647 Photographic copyprints of NT Police Stations 1949-1957
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of scenes and transport, Darwin (CP 756-758)
DUKE, Betty (nee Page)
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 791
NTRS 1380 Personal records relating to The Red Cross Society and Darwin during World War 2 1941-1942
NTRS 1381 Photographs of Darwin House and Red Cross members in the NT 1939-1942
NTRS 1733 Photographs of Darwin and staff at Kahlin Hospital during World War 2 1941-1942
DUKE, Melvin Edward & WIDICK, Dallas
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 41
EACOTT, Bill
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 758
EDWARDS, Jim
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 674
ELLIS, Frederick Joseph (Mick))
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 453
FERGUSON, Isabelle (nee Muir)
NTRS 266 Oral history interview TS 680
NTRS 1392 Photographs of 119th A.G.H. Adelaide River 1943
FINNISS,Les
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 469
FOSKE, Ray
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 212
FOSTER, Allan
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 206
FOWLER, J
NTRS 1333 Programmes for Combined Services boxing events 1944
NTRS 1663 Photographic copyprints of Darwin 1943-1945
FROST, Allan D.
NTRS 1355 Personal War Diary 1941-1942
GALLAGHER, Lloyd Linton Robert
NTRS 1356 Photographs of Darwin and the NT during World War 2 1942-1945
GARTON, Gladys
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 534
GAYTON, Jim
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 216
GLASSENBURY, Evelyn
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during World War 2 1940 (CP 156-CP157)
GRANT, Rev. Archibald Wesley
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 223, TS 500
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Street Scenes and Buildings, Darwin 1942-1947 (CP 517-518)
NTRS 306 Photographs and papers relating to service with Australian Inland Mission in NT c.1940-1950s
GRANTHAM, Sid
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 418
GREENTREE, Geoffrey Howard
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 673
NTRS 1435 Photographs of 2nd Australian Field Butchering Coy (AIF), medals and demobilisation book 1939-1945
NTRS 1690 Certificate of Qualification and Air Raid Chart 1942-1945
HALL, Dorothy
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 228
HANSON, Keith
NTRS 219 Oral history interview TP 878
HARITOS, George A.M.
NTRS 226 Oral history interviews TS 662
HARMANIS, Louis
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 62
HARPER, John
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 746
HARPER, Mrs W.E.
NTRS 275 Manuscript of reminiscences of years in Darwin as Government Auditor, and photographs of bomb damage 1939-1942
HAY, Frank E
NTRS 1393 Photograph album featuring Darwin during World War 2
HEE, Maurice
NTRS 1394 Brief History of Hee family, Darwin World War 2 Evacuees 1941-1951
HELLYER, Dick
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 66
HENDERSON, Derek
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 804
HINGSTON, Benjamin David
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 639
NTRS 1687 Photographic copyprints of bombing of Darwin 1942
HODGINS, George Alexander
NTRS 1361 Photographs of 43rd Battalion activities World War 2 1942-1943
HOOTEN, John Van
NTRS 362 Papers relating to experiences with Gull Force of 2/21 BN and other material c.1942-1945
HOUNG ON, Charlie
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 246
HUGHES, Tom
NTRS 1414 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and environs c.1942
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 812
IRELAND, George
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 691
IRVINE, Fred
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 247
JAMES, Wendy
NTRS 219 Oral history interview TP 877
KENNON, Stan
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 253
KING, Doug
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 700
KNOWLAN, Colin
NTRS 1651 Personal photographs of Darwin 1941
KRANTZ, Harry
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 256
LAFFER, Lorna
NTRS 219 Oral history interview TP 737
LAMPE, Leslie & Kay
NTRS 276 Letter about WW2 Evacuation, and family photographs c.1930- 1942
LANGDON, Jean
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of evacuation of Darwin, World War 2 1941 (CP 233)
LATHAM, Guy
NTRS 1402 Copies of photographs of RAAF aerodrome and opening of the Latham Club, Tindal Base 1942-1989
LEE, Henry
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 261
LEVITT, Major Victor and Millie
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of evacuation of Darwin during World War 2 1941
NTRS 320 Two photograph albums and one sketch album featuring Darwin during WW2 c.1940-1945
NTRS 1431 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and Adelaide River during World War 2 1942-1944
LEYDIN, R & M
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and Legislative Assembly (CP 752 )
LILLY, Jack
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 679
LITCHFIELD, Bruce
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 78 (1-2)
LOCKWOOD, Douglas
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 264
LUKE, Hylton
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during World War 2, and Legislative Council 1942-1948 (CP 237-238)
NTRS 319 Transcript of diary and notes about the bombing of Darwin during WW2 1947
LYNN, Jim
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 690
NTRS 1427 Photographic copyprints of Signal Unit Members 1942
MAGRIPILIS, John
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 802
MANNING, Athol
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 693
MARTIN, Richard (Dick)
NTRS 1724 Photographs of crashed 'VAL' Japanese Dive Bomber, and articles on War in NT and overseas 1942-1943
MAYNARD, Keith
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 553
McDONALD, Allen Andrew
NTRS 1353 Photographs of army camps and environs in the NT during World War 2 c. 1942-1945
McDONALD, Patrick
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 655
NTRS 1217 Personal photographs from involvement in the Union Movement, Darwin, defence and Aboriginals 1935-1988
MITCHELL, James L
NTRS 866 Personal photographs featuring the 2nd Flying Boat Maintenance Unit, Darwin 1945
MOFFLIN, Alfred
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 94
MUZZELL, Norman
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 93
NATHAN, Norman Charles
NTRS 1328 Personal photographs of Darwin and Adelaide River during World War 2 1942-1945
NICHOLLS, Gordon
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and Alice Springs 1930-1942 (CP 361-371)
O'CONNOR, James
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 29
O'GRADY, Tom
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 494
OLIVER, Arthur
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 726
PARISH, Francis Russell
NTRS 1388 Photographs of 1 Aust Coy in Darwin during World War 2 1940-1944
PENHALL, Les
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 303
PEPPEREL, Geoff
NTRS 219 Oral history interview TP 883
PINK, Walter James
NTRS 1382 Photographs of members of 24 L/TW/T Section during World War 2 1943
POOLE, Les
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 571
POTT, William
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 307
PRICOLO, Lorna
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 753
PYE, Brother John M.S.C
NTRS 1812 Photographic proofs and negatives of Bathurst Island and residents 1919-1994
QUINN, Athol
NTRS 1720 Photographic copyprints of Fighter Planes and bombers in the Northern Territory c.1940
REES,Tom
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 466
RENFREY,Beryl
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 108
RHODE, John
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Mataranka during World War 2 c. 1941 (CP 158)
RICHARDS, Joe
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 602
RICHARDSON, E.G.
NTRS 1406 Photographs of Darwin during World War 2 1940-1944
RIGBY, Alex
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 701
NTRS 1401 Records relating to the defence of Darwin during World War 2 1942
NTRS 1418 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and the Mobile Force during WW2 1938-1942
ROBERTS, John
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 544
NTRS 1126 NT Entry Permits after World War 2 1944
NTRS 1675 Photographic copyprints of John Roberts 1942-1946
ROBSON, L
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 314
RUSSELL, Victor Norman
NTRS 260 Personal records and photographs of Darwin 1942
RYE, Charles
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 858
SCHERGER, Sir Frederick
NTRS 226 Oral history interviews TS 115
SCHULTZ, Carl, E.
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during World War 2 1942 (CP 618-620)
NTRS 341 Photographs, papers and diary of experiences c.1925-1942
SCOTT, Henry Milton
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 319
SEACH, Leonard
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 686
SELL, Ernest
NTRS 863 Personal photographs taken at Darwin and Alice Springs c. 1939-1946
SELMAN, Boyd Mark
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during World War 2 1932-1942 (CP 532-533)
NTRS 342 Typescript of memoirs of experiences in the NT as an Intelligence Officer in the Army 1941-1945
SHELDON-COLLINS, Francis Charles
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 706
NTRS 1408 Copy of 8 mm film featuring bombing and strafing of Darwin 1942
NTRS 1409 Photographs of Darwin and bomb damage 1942-1943
SHEPHERD, Fay
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and Central Australia 1925-1940s (CP 22-23, CP 604-607 )
SHEPHERD, Vera
NTRS 1407 Copies of postal markings on letter cards and envelopes from RAAF survey and airfield construction servicemen 1942-1945
SPRATT, Walter
NTRS 219 Oral history interview TP 728
STEELE, Max
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 330
STEWART, Lou
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and Naval Cadets 1950 (CP 531)
NTRS 265 Personal records, story of evacuation from Darwin during World War 2 1941
TANNER, C.E.
NTRS 1437 Copies of Army pay, service and demobilisation books during World War 2 1942-1946
TAYLOR, Norman Arnel
NTRS 1351 Photographs of Darwin and Naval personnel during World War 2 1942-1946
TUCKER, Eileen
NTRS 922 Photographs of Australian Womens Army Service Group 1942-1946
TURNER, William
NTRS 709 Photographs featuring Army days in Darwin during World 2 c. 1941
NTRS 1644 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and Darwin Field Butchery during WW2 c.1941-1942
URQUHART, Ron
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during World War 2 1942 (CP 623-640)
NTRS 258 Personal records and photographs of Darwin and environs c.1942
VOSE, Dudley
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 703
WANSLEY, Colonel (Rtd) W.H. (Bert) AM
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 689
WEBBER, Joel
NTRS 1360 Photographs of field artillery, personnel, and diary extract about bombing of Darwin 1941-1942
NTRS 1383 War memorabilia 1942
WESTON, Reg
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 138
NTRS 234 Photographic copyprints of Darwin and the Top End c.1935- 1940s (CP 763-769)
WHITE, Cliff J.
NTRS 365 Copy of speech given to Alice Springs Rotary Club about experiences serving in the NT during World War 2, and programme of athletic sports meeting 1942, c.1982
WILKSHIRE, John
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 704
NTRS 1483 Diary describing some Works Force activities during the period of the air raid attacks on Darwin 1942-1947
WILLIAMS, Herbert Kitchener (Kitch)
NTRS 859 Message dropped from plane to RAAF personnel on Arnhem coast 1944
NTRS 1640 Photographic copyprints of Darwin during World War 2 1943-1944
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 470
WILLIAMS, W.J. (Bill)
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 681
NTRS 1338 Personal papers and photographs of Darwin and Barrow Creek 1940-1945
WILSON, Alex H.
NTRS 1407 Copies of postal markings and letter cards and envelopes from RAAF survey and airfield construction servicemen 1942-1945
WRIGHT, Arthur
NTRS 226 Oral history interview TS 142
WRIGHT, D.S.
NTRS 1679 Photographic copyprints of the Darwin Wharf c.1945
