The private papers, like the official records, are almost all written by men. But the reminiscences and letters of E.L. Gordon Thomas (Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, 36 and 600 microfilms, and Mitchell Library MSS 1505);

PMB 36THOMAS Edward Llewellyn GordonTitle: Rabaul - 1950-1945Dates: 1950 - 1945Reels & Format: 1 reel, 35mm microfilmHolding: (1970) Mrs S. Grimes, Northcote Street, Haberfield, New South WalesAvailable for reference

The author of this manuscript, generally known as Gordon Thomas, was born in Chicago, USA, in 1890 and died in Sydney in 1966. After schooling in England, Germany and Switzerland, he began a newspaper career in Canada. In 1911 he joined the Methodist Mission in New Guinea as a printer, and later worked as a planter, trader and oil driller in that territory. He was editor of the Rabaul Times from 1925-27 and 1933-50. An obituary of Thomas was published in Pacific Islands Monthly for August, 1966, pp. 9-10.

When the Japanese invaded Rabaul in January 1950, they captured about 300 European civilians. All but half a dozen of these were removed from Rabaul in the Montevideo Maru, which was sunk with all hands before reaching her destination, Japan. Thomas was one of the few Europeans who was kept back by the Japanese - to work as a rouseabout at the freezer and power station. Rabaul - 1950-45 is an account of Thomas' life as a prisoner-of-war.See also PMB 600

PMB 600THOMAS Edward Llewellyn GordonTitle: Correspondence, Diaries, Notes, Articles, SpeechesDates: 1950 - 1966Reels & Format: 2 reels, 35mm microfilmHolding: Division of Pacific and Asian History, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, Canberra as part of the Sponsoring Libraries of the Papua New Guinea Records ProjectAvailable for reference

Edward L.G. Thomas, or Gordon Thomas as he was usually known, joined the Methodist Mission in New Guinea as a printer in 1911, and later worked as a planter, trader and oil driller in that territory. He was editor of the Rabaul Times from 1925-1927 and from 1933-1950. He was one of about 300 European civilians captured when the Japanese invaded Rabaul in January 1950 and one of only four who remained in Rabaul throughout the Japanese occupation.

Reel 1:1. General correspondence, 1946-662. Correspondence re disposal of printing plant used to produce Guinea Gold 1946-473. Correspondence re Fred Urban's war damage claims, 1947-484. Correspondence re Queen Emma (Mrs Emma Kolbe), 19555. Diary and other writings while prisoner-of-war, 1950-456. Notes and papers collected while prisoner-of-war, 1950-457. Articles, 1945-49 (Continued on reel 2)Reel 2:Item 7 continued8. Speeches and articles, undated (c.1946-49)9. Diary of trip on MV Bulolo to Papua and New Guinea, 1955Thomas' manuscript Rabaul - 1950-45, describing his experiences as a prisoner-of-war in Rabaul, has been filmed as PMB 36.

 

My contact was:

Greg RawlingsPhD ScholarRoom 7209 Coombs BuildingDepartment of AnthropologyDivision of Society and EnvironmentResearch School of Pacific and Asian StudiesAustralian National UniversityCanberra ACT 0200AUSTRALIATelephone: (61) (2) 6125 3382Fax: (61) (2) 6125 4896Email: rawlings@coombs.anu.edu.au