Primary Sources

Butler engaged to be married to Hagarty.

This newspaper article describes Vincent Roy Kelly's return to work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge following his remarkable survival after a 175-foot fall. It highlights the public attention surrounding his recovery and Kelly's own calm, unassuming determination to resume work as though nothing had happened.

This medal was awarded to Vincent Kelly who survived falling from the Sydney Harbour Bridge while working on its construction in October 1930.

A view of the main bearing and arch ribs shows the two sides of the cantilever arches almost meeting. The bottom chord of one of the bridge panels is erected, weighing 61 tonnes. The panel is lifted by crane and a worker can be seen standing on it. Workmen rivet a chord joint. The panel is lifted.

Men inspecting the construction of the safety fence at Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge footway and safety fence. October 1935

President of Aborigines' Progressive Association mourns current plight of Aboriginals and demands ordinary citizens' rights to old age pensions, maternity bonus, work and education.

The article welcomes the **Atlantic Charter of 1941**, agreed by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as a major statement of Anglo-American war aims and principles for the post-war world. It emphasises continued American support for Britain, international economic co-operation, improved living and labour standards, disarmament of aggressor nations and opposition to territorial conquest. The article also stresses the Charter's relevance to Japanese expansion in the Far East and presents it as the basis for closer British, American and Russian co-operation against the Axis powers.
 

More than 600 mainly Javanese seamen in Sydney refused to sail their vessels, leading to mass arrests and prosecutions for being absent without leave or disobeying their masters. Many declared that they wanted to return to Java and chose imprisonment rather than comply, with 130 men each fined £10 or sentenced to 20 days in gaol. The dispute caused serious concern about disruption to Netherlands East Indies shipping and required extensive police intervention.
 

More than 40 Italian prisoners of war were employed on farms in the Coonabarabran district to ease wartime labour shortages, with numbers expected to double. While local farmers reportedly praised the prisoners' work and conduct, the scheme drew criticism from some who argued that Australian servicemen with farming experience should have been released to work the land instead.

Japanese prisoners playing baseball in B Compound, Cowra POW Camp.

Aftermath of mass Japanese POW breakout at Cowra - bodies entangled in barbed wire

Aftermath of mass Japanese POW breakout at Cowra - blankets over barbed wire

This newspaper article reports the arrival of twenty-four Australian nurses rescued from Sumatra after more than three years of Japanese captivity. It describes their recovery in Singapore and records their reflections on life in the prison camps, including the Banka Island massacre, their resilience in captivity, and the dramatic improvement in their circumstances following Japan's surrender.

This newspaper article recounts the experiences of the Australian Army nurses rescued from Sumatra in September 1945. Through interviews with the survivors, it describes the Banka Island massacre, their years of captivity under the Japanese, their resilience in the prison camps, and the liberation that finally brought them to Singapore.

The article reports growing unrest in Batavia following Japan's surrender, as Indonesian nationalists demanded an independent republic under Soekarno. Indonesian demonstrators attempted to enter the Tjidang women's internment camp, which was defended jointly by Allied personnel and Japanese guards. The article describes increasing displays of the new Indonesian red-and-white flag, political demonstrations and violence, while Japanese forces remained temporarily responsible for maintaining order.
 

NEI Information Service deny that supplies for the suppression of the Indonesian people were carried aboard Dutch ships in Australian ports.

An excerpt from Cinesound Review which shows footage of Australian army nurses in a Singapore hospital after their rescue in 1945.

Indonesian dockworkers and seamen who worked in Australia during the war embark on the Esperance Bay to be taken to Java.

Esperance Bay leaves Brisbane with >1400 Indonesians destined for Java at the end of the war.

Australian War Crimes Board of Inquiry.

Japanese prisoners held in POW camp at Morotai

Allegations by Daily Mail correspondent that Indonesians smuggled arms on board Esperance Bay.

Esperance Bay docks at Timor as Mountbatten is unable to ensure safe conduct in Java for 40 activist Indonesians on board despite assurances from Australian government.