Army Towns & Native Settlements
WW2 Northern Territory
End of Era - Bernts Map 2 p130 top end
Intro
nla.obj-151755028 Dorothy Amos with four local men in uniform, Darwin, NT, Jan 1947 in front of War Memorial
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NLA pic.an23607993.v - HMAS Geranium survey ship
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Placename - Origin in WW2 - Source NT Place Names Register
Larrimah - The locality of Larrimah, takes its name from the siding of the same name.
Situated 5 km north of the Birdum terminus of the North Australian Railway, Larrimah was established during the war as a siding by the Darwin Mobile Fore (DOMF) for use as a depot from where troop went north by rail.
The Army Board named it 'Larrimah' in March 1941 from the language of the Wagaman tribe meaning 'a meeting place or when one encounters another'. A Townsite was reserved in 1950.
Berrimah - The 119th Army General Hospital was established in the area in late 1941 and the hospital site was named 'Berrimah' which is Aboriginal for 'place where sick man gets better'.
Noonamah - The name Noonamah was applied by the Army in 1941, when the Military Board ascribed a series of names to new military depots and camps in the NT. Berrimah and Larrimah were two other names applied. Noonamah was taken from the language of the Wagaman Aboriginal people and means plenty of tucker and good things. Noonamah contained a number of Army wartime units and some wartime recreation events were held in the area.
Koolpinya - The original grants in 1908 to the Herbert brothers, Evan and Oscar, the sons of Justice Herbert, were for leases at "Umpty Doo" (Humpty Doo) and "Koolpinyah". The Herbert brothers later combined their operations at Koolpinyah.
Their homestead was near a waterhole which the aboriginals called "Gulpinyah", which was interpreted for the station name as "Koolpinyah". The Herbert brothers, continued on their property until their deaths in 1974.
Situated 5 km north of the Birdum terminus of the North Australian Railway, Larrimah was established during the war as a siding by the Darwin Mobile Fore (DOMF) for use as a depot from where troop went north by rail.
The Army Board named it 'Larrimah' in March 1941 from the language of the Wagaman tribe meaning 'a meeting place or when one encounters another'. A Townsite was reserved in 1950.
Berrimah - The 119th Army General Hospital was established in the area in late 1941 and the hospital site was named 'Berrimah' which is Aboriginal for 'place where sick man gets better'.
Noonamah - The name Noonamah was applied by the Army in 1941, when the Military Board ascribed a series of names to new military depots and camps in the NT. Berrimah and Larrimah were two other names applied. Noonamah was taken from the language of the Wagaman Aboriginal people and means plenty of tucker and good things. Noonamah contained a number of Army wartime units and some wartime recreation events were held in the area.
Koolpinya - The original grants in 1908 to the Herbert brothers, Evan and Oscar, the sons of Justice Herbert, were for leases at "Umpty Doo" (Humpty Doo) and "Koolpinyah". The Herbert brothers later combined their operations at Koolpinyah.
Their homestead was near a waterhole which the aboriginals called "Gulpinyah", which was interpreted for the station name as "Koolpinyah". The Herbert brothers, continued on their property until their deaths in 1974.
Health Services
Old Darwin Hospital above Doctor's Gully - Paul Foelsche SLSA B-5040
New Darwin Military Hosp 19-2-42 crater.
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New Darwin Military Hospital 1943
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Army Hospitals
Aboriginal Hospital Orderly Tommy AWM 027836
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Aboriginal Hospital Orderly Tommy AWM 027836
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Aboriginal Hospital Orderly Tommy treating a local resident at the 121st Australian General Hospital, Katherine November 1942. Army hospitals provided regular health services to local residents throughout the war.
The Captain F.R. Morris Report -
PARTICIPATION IN WAR EFFORT BY AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES
Editorial Introduction: On 20 July 1945, F.M. Forde, the Minister for the Army, received a request from A.G. Cameron MP, on behalf of Dr A. Grenfell-Price. Grenfell-Price sought data 'of an authentic character’, concerning the role Aborigines played during the Second World War, for a proposed book. Forde directed the request to Northern Territory Army Headquarters. With surprising expedition, a report was completed by 8 September 1945. It was written by Captain F.R. Morris, Controller of Native Personnel, Northern Territory Force. Until his enlistment in 1942, Morris was a member of the Northern Territory Native Affairs Branch (Australian Archives Victoria, accession no. MP 742/1, Department of Defence, File 164/1/209). It is reproduced here with minor omissions irrelevant to the context indicated and the plethora of full stops deleted. Unfortunately, the report was limited to the Northern Territory, whereas Grenfell-Price had sought information from across the continent. D.J. Mulvaney
Participation in War Effort by Australian Aboriginals. The contributions, as far as the aboriginals of the Northern Territory are concerned, towards the War Effort have been many and varied, and to write the complete authentic story would entail much arduous research work.... The following is an outline of the part played by the Northern Territory Aboriginals housed in Army Settlements:
LABOUR: An average of 500 male and 50 female aboriginals have been employed by the Army since March 1942 on the undermentioned tasks:
1. Butchery: Aboriginals have been employed at all Army Butcheries on a large scale. At present only one is operating at Katherine where 20 aboriginals are employed at various tasks. Whilst the butchery was operating at Adelaide River, where upwards to 30 were employed, some were actually performing slaughtermens' duties as well as the salting, folding and stacking of hides.
2. Hygiene, Malaria Control and Sanitation:
(a) Hygiene: Aboriginals have been employed on this work at all Area Headquarters and many other Army Camps throughout the Northern Territory, under the supervision of white NCO's and have in all instances carried out the job successfully.
(b) Sanitation of Darwin: Twenty aboriginals efficiently performed the whole of the sanitation of Darwin from the first bombing until recently when burner type latrines were installed in most camps.
(c) Malaria Control: In the malarious and potentially malarious areas, the aboriginals have performed duties such as spraying waterholes, creeks etc., in the vicinity of camps, and disposal of rubbish dumps consisting of tins, bottles and other containers which by holding stagnant water provide excellent mosquito breeding grounds. At Koolpinyah Native Settlement 6 aboriginals were recently employed on similar duties and in addition were using DDT. 3.
Army Farms: Many varied tasks have been performed efficiently despite the fact that the aboriginals of the Northern Territory are purely hunters and not agriculturalists.
LABOUR: An average of 500 male and 50 female aboriginals have been employed by the Army since March 1942 on the undermentioned tasks:
1. Butchery: Aboriginals have been employed at all Army Butcheries on a large scale. At present only one is operating at Katherine where 20 aboriginals are employed at various tasks. Whilst the butchery was operating at Adelaide River, where upwards to 30 were employed, some were actually performing slaughtermens' duties as well as the salting, folding and stacking of hides.
2. Hygiene, Malaria Control and Sanitation:
(a) Hygiene: Aboriginals have been employed on this work at all Area Headquarters and many other Army Camps throughout the Northern Territory, under the supervision of white NCO's and have in all instances carried out the job successfully.
(b) Sanitation of Darwin: Twenty aboriginals efficiently performed the whole of the sanitation of Darwin from the first bombing until recently when burner type latrines were installed in most camps.
(c) Malaria Control: In the malarious and potentially malarious areas, the aboriginals have performed duties such as spraying waterholes, creeks etc., in the vicinity of camps, and disposal of rubbish dumps consisting of tins, bottles and other containers which by holding stagnant water provide excellent mosquito breeding grounds. At Koolpinyah Native Settlement 6 aboriginals were recently employed on similar duties and in addition were using DDT. 3.
Army Farms: Many varied tasks have been performed efficiently despite the fact that the aboriginals of the Northern Territory are purely hunters and not agriculturalists.
4. Mechanical and Technical Work:
(a) Mataranka Workshops: During 1942/43 aboriginals were employed dismantling car and truck engines and in some cases worked on the assembly lines of such engines.
(b) 10 Aust Base Workshops: At the present time 20 aboriginals are working in the mechanical shop. Of these 9 are undergoing a special course. (Note:- Lt-Col Gumett, CO, 10 Aust Base Workshops, is so impressed with their ability that he has made representations for another 30 or 40 aboriginals.)
(c) RSD [Returned Stores Depot] and Salvage: Aboriginals are engaged on work of a semi-skilled nature such as sorting tools and stores into two classes - those which are U/S and those fit for reconditioning. They are also used in the actual reconditioning of tools and stores.
(d) Saw Benches and Firewood Camps: Throughout the war a considerable number of aboriginals have been engaged in getting firewood and milling it for bakeries, hospitals and other units. (e) MT [Motor Transport] Drivers: Several are the holders of Army Licences.
(a) Mataranka Workshops: During 1942/43 aboriginals were employed dismantling car and truck engines and in some cases worked on the assembly lines of such engines.
(b) 10 Aust Base Workshops: At the present time 20 aboriginals are working in the mechanical shop. Of these 9 are undergoing a special course. (Note:- Lt-Col Gumett, CO, 10 Aust Base Workshops, is so impressed with their ability that he has made representations for another 30 or 40 aboriginals.)
(c) RSD [Returned Stores Depot] and Salvage: Aboriginals are engaged on work of a semi-skilled nature such as sorting tools and stores into two classes - those which are U/S and those fit for reconditioning. They are also used in the actual reconditioning of tools and stores.
(d) Saw Benches and Firewood Camps: Throughout the war a considerable number of aboriginals have been engaged in getting firewood and milling it for bakeries, hospitals and other units. (e) MT [Motor Transport] Drivers: Several are the holders of Army Licences.
5. Ammunition: As mentioned in a previous report, all ammunition passing through Mataranka during the early part of 1942 was handled by a gang of 60 and in cases of emergency would handle three tons per man per hour.
6. Hospitals: At the various hospitals a number are employed as Orderlies and Wardsmen in the Aboriginal Wards.
7. FSD [Field Stores Depot] Pine Creek: At Pine Creek aboriginals loaded and unloaded practically all freights to and from trains. When this area closed a considerable quantity of petrol drums etc, (full and empty) were loaded entirely by them.
8. Female Workers: Women are employed as under: 69 AW AS [Aust Women’s Army Service] Barracks 9 AW AS Hostel 3 107 Aust General Hospital 5 74 Aust Camp Hospital 2 RAAF Hospital 2 AW AS Barracks (Alice Springs) 4 AAMWS [Aust Army Medical Women's Service] Barracks (Alice Springs) 2 At hospitals duties include (a) Orderlies; (b) personal maids to Matrons; (c) domestic duties. At A WAS, AAMWS, Barracks and Hostel duties include (a) Washing and Ironing; (b) Household and domestic duties.
6. Hospitals: At the various hospitals a number are employed as Orderlies and Wardsmen in the Aboriginal Wards.
7. FSD [Field Stores Depot] Pine Creek: At Pine Creek aboriginals loaded and unloaded practically all freights to and from trains. When this area closed a considerable quantity of petrol drums etc, (full and empty) were loaded entirely by them.
8. Female Workers: Women are employed as under: 69 AW AS [Aust Women’s Army Service] Barracks 9 AW AS Hostel 3 107 Aust General Hospital 5 74 Aust Camp Hospital 2 RAAF Hospital 2 AW AS Barracks (Alice Springs) 4 AAMWS [Aust Army Medical Women's Service] Barracks (Alice Springs) 2 At hospitals duties include (a) Orderlies; (b) personal maids to Matrons; (c) domestic duties. At A WAS, AAMWS, Barracks and Hostel duties include (a) Washing and Ironing; (b) Household and domestic duties.
LABOUR GENERAL: From time to time working parties are supplied for all kinds of miscellaneous work, such as: (a) Camp demolition in the Adelaide River Area. (b) Clearing fire breaks at Mataranka Ammunition Depot. (c) Grave digging and general maintenance at War Cemetery Adelaide River. (d) Bulk Canteens. (e) Cordial Factories. (f) Bakeries. (g) 8 AOD working parties, average 50 per day. (h) Manufacture of concrete floor blocks (11 Wks and Pks).
ABORIGINALS EMPLOYED BY AUST PORT CRAFT COY: During March 1944, some 80 aboriginals were voluntarily recruited from Bathurst and Melville Islands to perform certain duties: pilots; deckhands; Shipwrights' assistants; Technical Storemens' assistants; boss boys; runners; hygiene; Officers' Mess Stewards; cooks and kitchen orderlies; general duties.
Unfortunately these people were not permitted to have their families with them as in the case of other Army Settlements. The reason for this being that they were quartered in the same camp as white troops. They worked very well under the circumstances until April 1945, when the OC of the Coy granted all of them one weeks leave at Bathurst Island, in appreciation of the good work they had performed. The majority of them remained on the Island and repeated efforts to get them back failed. This state of affairs can be attributed to the following facts: (a) Separation from their families; (b) Over twelve months in the one environment. However at present 27 aboriginals, which include many former employees, are engaged on the same work.
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GENERAL REMARKS'. The aggregation of Aboriginals [szc] into large communities has afforded an opportunity for establishment of schools. At some centres Mission educated aboriginals have conducted schools for the children with some degree of success. These schools indicate that with suitable supervision much can be done by the aboriginals for themselves in the way of education. Furthermore these communities have shown the aboriginals are capable of performing welfare services for one another.
At various centres women are employed as welfare workers and dressmakers. These people do a particularly good job in respect of the care and cleanliness of the children. In considering the part played by the aboriginals in the war it is important to note that they have been responsible under supervision of 2 white NCO's at each centre for the establishment, construction and running of their own settlements.
There are many aboriginals who have proved that with a few tools, some of which have been improvised, that they are quite efficient as 'bush' carpenters and cement workers.
In order to work, the aboriginal and his dependents must be fed. All food is prepared and cooked by aboriginal cooks, the meals being varied and tasty.
Women have shown themselves to be very capable in domestic duties.
As mentioned previously, Army Settlement staffs consist of 2 white NCO's whose time is fully occupied with Administrative work and general supervision, therefore, these women are required to carry out duties which include cooking, laundry and house work.
Finally an interesting fact is that aboriginals not only have released Army personnel for other duties, but in many instances, where the leave position was acute have made it possible for a certain amount of leave to be granted which otherwise would have been impossible.
At various centres women are employed as welfare workers and dressmakers. These people do a particularly good job in respect of the care and cleanliness of the children. In considering the part played by the aboriginals in the war it is important to note that they have been responsible under supervision of 2 white NCO's at each centre for the establishment, construction and running of their own settlements.
There are many aboriginals who have proved that with a few tools, some of which have been improvised, that they are quite efficient as 'bush' carpenters and cement workers.
In order to work, the aboriginal and his dependents must be fed. All food is prepared and cooked by aboriginal cooks, the meals being varied and tasty.
Women have shown themselves to be very capable in domestic duties.
As mentioned previously, Army Settlement staffs consist of 2 white NCO's whose time is fully occupied with Administrative work and general supervision, therefore, these women are required to carry out duties which include cooking, laundry and house work.
Finally an interesting fact is that aboriginals not only have released Army personnel for other duties, but in many instances, where the leave position was acute have made it possible for a certain amount of leave to be granted which otherwise would have been impossible.
PATROL, RESCUE AND RECOVERY WORK - Voluntary and supervised: ... it would be of great assistance to Dr Grenfell-Price to contact the following persons who, no doubt, would be only too pleased to supply authentic information concerning:
(a) Rescue of Allied airmen and seamen.
(b) Capture of Japanese airmen.
(c) Locating and salvaging crashed aircraft.
(d) Reporting presence of enemy mines etc.
The addresses of these persons and some of the particular events are enumerated hereunder Lt J.B.W. Gribble, C/- HMAS Leeuwin, Fremantle, WA.
(a) Rescue of Allied airmen and seamen.
(b) Capture of Japanese airmen.
(c) Locating and salvaging crashed aircraft.
(d) Reporting presence of enemy mines etc.
The addresses of these persons and some of the particular events are enumerated hereunder Lt J.B.W. Gribble, C/- HMAS Leeuwin, Fremantle, WA.
1 Capture on Melville Island, by aboriginal Mathias, of first enemy pilot shot down on Australian soil.
2 Aboriginals finding and caring for 11 survivors of SS M Florence.
3 Rescue by aboriginals of American pilot who had bailed out of burning plane with one leg badly burned, caring for him and taking him to help.
4. Walking i 19 miles to rescue American pilot Lt J. Martin who had been shot down in flames. (This pilot was later shot down over Bynoe Harbour and was again rescued by Aboriginals. See under Supt Murray.)
5. Finding of two crashed Kittyhawks.
6. Piloting rescue and security patrol ships.
7. Searching for and locating several Jap mines etc.
8. Rescuing five Dutch pilots and carrying one with a broken leg many miles. Supt E.J. Murray, Civil Native Settlement, Katherine, NT.
1 Rescue of Lt Johnson under very dramatic conditions.
2. Rescue of Lt J. Martin who had been shot down (Second rescue - see also Lt Gribble).
3. Locating of numerous crashed aircraft, both Allied and enemy.
4. Patrol work of aboriginals under supervision of Supt Murray did many excellent jobs in locating un-exploded bombs.
Patrol Officer Harney, Civil Native Settlement, Katherine, NT. 1. This officer could give details of work done by aboriginals at Mission Stations where over 200 were employed by RAAF.
2. Officer Harney in conjunction with Professor Elkin of Sydney University has already written a book entitled The Native and War which is ready for publication [Editor: presumably Taboo, Sydney, 1944],
Petty Officer Jensen, Cl- HMAS Melville, Darwin, NT. 1. Petty Officer Jensen can give the complete story of the sinking of the Patricia Cam off Wessel Island by an enemy float plane. The aboriginals did fine rescue work on this occasion.
Revd Father McGrath, Bathurst Island Catholic Mission.
1. Father McGrath can give many instances of the valuable work performed by aboriginals of both Bathurst and Melville Islands.
2. Louie, an aboriginal of this Mission captured 5 Japanese airmen who had been shot down on Melville Island.
Others are Revds Ellemore and Shepherdson of Methodist Mission, Millingimbi,
Revd Father Doherty of Port Keats Catholic Mission and the Revd Harris of Church Mission Society, Groote Island.
2 Aboriginals finding and caring for 11 survivors of SS M Florence.
3 Rescue by aboriginals of American pilot who had bailed out of burning plane with one leg badly burned, caring for him and taking him to help.
4. Walking i 19 miles to rescue American pilot Lt J. Martin who had been shot down in flames. (This pilot was later shot down over Bynoe Harbour and was again rescued by Aboriginals. See under Supt Murray.)
5. Finding of two crashed Kittyhawks.
6. Piloting rescue and security patrol ships.
7. Searching for and locating several Jap mines etc.
8. Rescuing five Dutch pilots and carrying one with a broken leg many miles. Supt E.J. Murray, Civil Native Settlement, Katherine, NT.
1 Rescue of Lt Johnson under very dramatic conditions.
2. Rescue of Lt J. Martin who had been shot down (Second rescue - see also Lt Gribble).
3. Locating of numerous crashed aircraft, both Allied and enemy.
4. Patrol work of aboriginals under supervision of Supt Murray did many excellent jobs in locating un-exploded bombs.
Patrol Officer Harney, Civil Native Settlement, Katherine, NT. 1. This officer could give details of work done by aboriginals at Mission Stations where over 200 were employed by RAAF.
2. Officer Harney in conjunction with Professor Elkin of Sydney University has already written a book entitled The Native and War which is ready for publication [Editor: presumably Taboo, Sydney, 1944],
Petty Officer Jensen, Cl- HMAS Melville, Darwin, NT. 1. Petty Officer Jensen can give the complete story of the sinking of the Patricia Cam off Wessel Island by an enemy float plane. The aboriginals did fine rescue work on this occasion.
Revd Father McGrath, Bathurst Island Catholic Mission.
1. Father McGrath can give many instances of the valuable work performed by aboriginals of both Bathurst and Melville Islands.
2. Louie, an aboriginal of this Mission captured 5 Japanese airmen who had been shot down on Melville Island.
Others are Revds Ellemore and Shepherdson of Methodist Mission, Millingimbi,
Revd Father Doherty of Port Keats Catholic Mission and the Revd Harris of Church Mission Society, Groote Island.
University of Sydney Archives
P.130A P Elkin
Creating Agency: A P Elkin Previous Custodian: Elkin family & Department of Anthropology
Series: 0008 Correspondence, book manuscripts, and research notes of W. E. Harney Date Range: - 1961 1937
Accessions: 664 Quantity: shelf metres 0.00 Item List: yes
Series Description:
Bill Harney was an old bushman in the Northern Territory who supplied Elkin with information about the Territory's inhabitants, checked factual details for him, and acted as his driver on field trips. Harney and Elkin wrote "Aborigines and the War" together, and Harney published many books of his own about life in the north. This series contains correspondence between Elkin and Harney, manuscript versions of books and articles, and other research material and field notes.
N.B. The archival integrity and original arrangement of the Elkin papers were destroyed, prior to December 1983, when the Department of Anthropology had the papers sorted into artificial series based on subject.
Elkin - University of Sydney
https://sydney.edu.au › documents › personal › elkin › elkin-series-item-8
Jan 28, 1997 - Elkin wrote "Aborigines and the War" together, and Harney published many ... Manuscript of book "The natives and the war", with typed extracts.
P.130A P Elkin
Creating Agency: A P Elkin Previous Custodian: Elkin family & Department of Anthropology
Series: 0008 Correspondence, book manuscripts, and research notes of W. E. Harney Date Range: - 1961 1937
Accessions: 664 Quantity: shelf metres 0.00 Item List: yes
Series Description:
Bill Harney was an old bushman in the Northern Territory who supplied Elkin with information about the Territory's inhabitants, checked factual details for him, and acted as his driver on field trips. Harney and Elkin wrote "Aborigines and the War" together, and Harney published many books of his own about life in the north. This series contains correspondence between Elkin and Harney, manuscript versions of books and articles, and other research material and field notes.
N.B. The archival integrity and original arrangement of the Elkin papers were destroyed, prior to December 1983, when the Department of Anthropology had the papers sorted into artificial series based on subject.
Elkin - University of Sydney
https://sydney.edu.au › documents › personal › elkin › elkin-series-item-8
Jan 28, 1997 - Elkin wrote "Aborigines and the War" together, and Harney published many ... Manuscript of book "The natives and the war", with typed extracts.