NGVR photos DURING WWII
The Goldfields - Wau/Bulolo
Skindewai, New Guinea. 28 August 1942.
A group of Aussies inspect their rifles in camp. From left to right Stan Tompkinson; Stuey Monroe, New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (NGVR); Private Roy O. Warren and an unidentified member of the NGVR
Skindewai, New Guinea. 28 August 1942.
A group of Aussies inspect their rifles in camp. From left to right Stan Tompkinson; Stuey Monroe, New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (NGVR); Private Roy O. Warren and an unidentified member of the NGVR
Opening Strongroom Wau
When Kanga Force needed funds to pay for carriers, labourers and food the Manager of the Bank of New South Wales, A.J. (Bossy) Byrne (NGVR), was flown back to Wau from Port Moresby.
Together with NGVR member, Cpl Horace (Horrie) Harris, the former teller at the Bank of New South Wales, they opened the strongroom, which had survived the bombing of Wau and took out thousands of pounds in shillings.
Byrne is standing in the door and Harris is standing on the wreck of an old refrigerator.
A closeup of Horrie Harris below.
SALAMAUA area, NEW GUINEA. August 1942 NG2423 Rifleman G. R. ARCHER, NGVR, observes movements of the Japanese from an observation post in a lofty tree above NUK NUK.
NG2191 Sergeant J B McAdam, New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, and Damien Parer, Official Cinematographer, observe Japanese movements from a secret tree top observation post above Nuk Nuk. This post was established by the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and was also used by the New Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company (NGAWW). It was manned for a six week period by Corporal Ross Kirkwood, who narrowly escaped capture by the Japanese.
SALAMAUA AREA, NEW GUINEA. August 1942.
Members of NGVR, bearded and camouflaged, man a secret observation post above NUK NUK.
L-R: NG2423 Rifleman G. R. ARCHER;
NG2192 Rifleman J. CAVANAUGH;
NG2191 Sgt J. B. MCADAM.
The NGVR Vickers Gun Platoon, Wau.
This photo was developed by an NGVR man who had no experience in developing films. The spots are original.
Back 4th from L. Fred Still. 2nd from R. Eric Gaude.
Front from L. Ted Blakey, Walter Chapman, Lt Reg Plumb (Pl Comd), Thomas Zoffman, Alan Dunwoodie.
This photo was developed by an NGVR man who had no experience in developing films. The spots are original.
Back 4th from L. Fred Still. 2nd from R. Eric Gaude.
Front from L. Ted Blakey, Walter Chapman, Lt Reg Plumb (Pl Comd), Thomas Zoffman, Alan Dunwoodie.
Alan Dunwoodie. NG2336, NGX 423
Alan's story is told in "Keepers of the Gate" - see "Suggested Reading"
Alan Dunwoodie. NG2336, NGX 423
Alan's story is told in "Keepers of the Gate" - see "Suggested Reading"
William Alfred (Bill) Griffiths. NG 2440, NGX 429.
Note the NGVR shoulder epaulettes and NGVR Colour Patch
William Alfred (Bill) Griffiths. NG 2440, NGX 429.
Note the NGVR shoulder epaulettes and NGVR Colour Patch
28 August 1942. Members of B COY, NGVR, proudly display a Japanese flag they captured at Mubo on 21 July1942. Personnel are (Rank is Rifleman unless stated otherwise) :
Back row from the left: NG2423 G.R. ARCHER, NG2192 J. CAVANAUGH, NG2200 SERGEANT L.E. ASHTON, NG2230 H.M. SHUTT, NG2214 J.G. KINSEY, NG2113 F.L. LEATHER, NG2191 SGT J.B. McADAM, NG2231 S.F. BURNS, NG2114 I.H. PATTERSON, NG2068 J.C.SHAY;
Centre Row: NG2461 R. NAPIER, NG2234 C.L. CAVALIERI, NG2380 A.R. SHEATH (Bending over);
Front row: NG2201 CPL J.A. BIRRELL, NG2219 H.L. HARRIS, NG2022 CPL A. GRAHAM, NG2229 R.W. DOYLE, NG2211 SGT H.J.W. FARR,
NG2325 W. ALLEN and NG2047 CPL G.R. RAYNER.
(Negative by D. PARER)
Back row from the left: NG2423 G.R. ARCHER, NG2192 J. CAVANAUGH, NG2200 SERGEANT L.E. ASHTON, NG2230 H.M. SHUTT, NG2214 J.G. KINSEY, NG2113 F.L. LEATHER, NG2191 SGT J.B. McADAM, NG2231 S.F. BURNS, NG2114 I.H. PATTERSON, NG2068 J.C.SHAY;
Centre Row: NG2461 R. NAPIER, NG2234 C.L. CAVALIERI, NG2380 A.R. SHEATH (Bending over);
Front row: NG2201 CPL J.A. BIRRELL, NG2219 H.L. HARRIS, NG2022 CPL A. GRAHAM, NG2229 R.W. DOYLE, NG2211 SGT H.J.W. FARR,
NG2325 W. ALLEN and NG2047 CPL G.R. RAYNER.
(Negative by D. PARER)
NGVR soldiers at Wau 1942
Standing L-R. Sgt L.E. Ashton, Lt Colman O’Loghlen, Cpl Tom Lega, Rfn Bob Jenkins, Rfn Roy Napier, Rfn Syd Burns.
Front. Cpl Arch Graham, Rfn Brian Fraser, Cpl Len (Tiger) Lyons
At a committee meeting in Ipswich in September 1997, Tom Legga was handed a photo and asked if he recognised anyone in the photo. "No trouble" he said. "I could name all the members of this NGVR group."
"This photo was taken in Wau 1942 where we were resting up after the battles of Salamaua and Mubo. We had not had any substantial food between March and June 1942 as not enough food had been coming over the Bulldog Track. Airdrops from DC3's were just coming into their own but the drops "freefall" and most of the supplies were damaged or blown away in the aircraft's slipstream and lost in the surrounding jungle.
A summary of the men involved is as follows:
I think today there are only three or four of this original group still alive"
This article appeared in The Assn Newsletter in November 1997.
Brian Fraser took part in the attack on Salamaua and, when NGVR was disbanded, joined the RAAF. He went to the United Kingdom and was killed in his first bombing raid over Germany. (Bob Collins)
Standing L-R. Sgt L.E. Ashton, Lt Colman O’Loghlen, Cpl Tom Lega, Rfn Bob Jenkins, Rfn Roy Napier, Rfn Syd Burns.
Front. Cpl Arch Graham, Rfn Brian Fraser, Cpl Len (Tiger) Lyons
At a committee meeting in Ipswich in September 1997, Tom Legga was handed a photo and asked if he recognised anyone in the photo. "No trouble" he said. "I could name all the members of this NGVR group."
"This photo was taken in Wau 1942 where we were resting up after the battles of Salamaua and Mubo. We had not had any substantial food between March and June 1942 as not enough food had been coming over the Bulldog Track. Airdrops from DC3's were just coming into their own but the drops "freefall" and most of the supplies were damaged or blown away in the aircraft's slipstream and lost in the surrounding jungle.
A summary of the men involved is as follows:
- L.E. ASHTON - Platoon Sergeant. Rose to the rank of Major and led patrols behind enemy lines, two patrols of which got right into Wewak.
- Sir Coleman O'LOGHLEN - Platoon Commander. A good soldier who wishes he could have done more.
- Tom LEGA - Section Leader. An ordinary run of the mill soldier. (Rose to the rank of LT and awarded the MM. Ed)
- Bob JENKINS - Another good soldier who wanted to achieve more during his service.
- Roy NAPIER - a hard wiry soldier who could keep up with the best of them.
- Syd BURNS - A former bank officer with the Bank of NSW. Found it a bit difficult at first with the hardships of bush life but came through with flying colours. A good soldier.
- Arch GRAHAME - a hard but jovial section leader. He had a mate, Don McDonald and we called them "A & D".
- Brian FRASER - A brave young lad of 19 years old. I think he was the third youngest member of NGVR. Brian had keen ambitions and transferred to the RAAF. He was shot down over Germany later in the war and killed.
- Len "Tiger" LYONS - a section leader who did a lot of good work in behind Salamaua.
I think today there are only three or four of this original group still alive"
This article appeared in The Assn Newsletter in November 1997.
Brian Fraser took part in the attack on Salamaua and, when NGVR was disbanded, joined the RAAF. He went to the United Kingdom and was killed in his first bombing raid over Germany. (Bob Collins)
NG2957 Cpl S.J.(Jock) Campbell, NG2110 Rfn Thomas A. (Tom) Keenan, NG2025 Cpl F.L. (Tiger) Lyon.
NG2336 Rfn Alan K Dunwoodie had this to say about beards: "It was at Mubo that we were ordered to shave. We thought it was a bit of a silly order so we then indented for razors, razor blades, shaving soap and mirrors etc. Naturally the supply system could not supply these so the order was just ignored.”
NG2336 Rfn Alan K Dunwoodie had this to say about beards: "It was at Mubo that we were ordered to shave. We thought it was a bit of a silly order so we then indented for razors, razor blades, shaving soap and mirrors etc. Naturally the supply system could not supply these so the order was just ignored.”
L-R. Speed Pollard 2/5 Ind Coy, John Hanman 2/5 Ind Coy, LT Ernie Hitchcock NGVR, LT John Leitch 2/5 Ind Coy, LT John Murphy NGVR, after the unsuccessful Japanese attack from Salamaua on Mubo 1942.
An interesting observation about this photo. At least two on the men are carrying Japanese Arisaka rifles, the man on the left is carrying a Japanese pistol and most of them are holding Japanese hand grenades. The man second from the right is possibly wearing a Japanese cap (and raincoat?).
An interesting observation about this photo. At least two on the men are carrying Japanese Arisaka rifles, the man on the left is carrying a Japanese pistol and most of them are holding Japanese hand grenades. The man second from the right is possibly wearing a Japanese cap (and raincoat?).
NG2322 Lt John Murphy who was in the NGVR at Wau and later while landing to carry out Coastwatching duties on New Britain was captured by the Japanese and held at Rabaul. This photo shows him immediately after his rescue at Rabaul.
NG2246, NGX 426 George Edward Cockram 1942.
George was reluctant to give this photo as the pistol he is wearing is Japanese.
George died on 6 Sep 2015, just eleven days before his 100th birthday.
NG 2422. NGX418. Sgt Neville Charles Swanson at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 1944, with the US 1st Marine Division.
Neville was a great souvenir collector and here he is with some of his Samurai Swords and Japanese rifles and bayonets.
NG 2460. NGX 304 Father John Glover who flew light aircraft in the New Guinea Goldfields and Highlands.
In December 1948, Father Glover crashed his aircraft landing at Mingende and was killed instantly.
A photo followed by an article of Father John Glover's exploits in saving a number of Military personnel and civilians by having them evacuated to Australia via a Qantas flight in 1943.
His full story is told in "keepers of the Gate".
NG 902 NG 2247 NGX 309 Lt George Charlton Tuckey.
George survived the war to be fatally gored by a cow at Kundiawa in 1946.
NG 821, NG 2242, NGX 391. Lt (later Capt) Philip Ambrose Tuckey.
Philip evacuated from New Guinea via the Bulldog Track and transferred to the 39th Battalion. He survived the battles on the Kokoda Track but was shot through the right thigh and left knee in the assault on Gona on 8 Dec 1942.
He was evacuated to Australia and returned to New Guinea as a Company Commander with the 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion. On the morning of 11th Dec 1944 he was leading a patrol of NGIB at Watam West when he was fatally wounded.
He now rests in the Lae War Cemetery.
NG2380 Sgt Abel Richmond Sheath.
Note NGVR shoulder epaulettes and shoulder patch.
In Dec 1942 Abe was evacuated from New Guinea in a Hospital Ship with malaria.
When fit again he was posted to 3 Australian Watercraft Workshops at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, where he served out the War. He was discharged in Feb 1946 and his Discharge Certificate stated that he served until 1946 in the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, even though the NGVR was officially disbanded in 1943.
An unknown NGVR soldier
Lt Colman O'Loghlen, NGVR, Bulolo, on leave in Sydney
NG2234 NGX388 Lt Carlo Cavalieri on leave in Sydney.
NG2201, NGX355. Jim Birrell MC. now with ANGAU and H. Warby during the Australian advance on Wewak.
It was for his actions on this advance that Jim was awarded the Military Cross.
