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This gallery will show photos of Papua New Guinea and its people taken between 1966 and 1973 as seen through the lenses of National Service soldiers serving in PNG
I lived in 39 Wau Ave Murray Barracks from 1967 to 1969. Our paths must have crossed. I have a few photos. And memories, happy to share
Thanks Elaine, it would be fantastic to see any images you have – i am particularly keen to see any images of the Murray Barracks army houses, the Primary School, the barracks swimming pool and the views from the ‘hill’ overlooking the harbours… My Father was going to replace Roger Jackson as CO, however Roger stayed on as we were shipped back to Melbourne where my sister required medical specialists… if it’s easier for you to contact me, you could try my work email bruce.williams@bastionbrands.com.au
i look forward to hearing from you Elaine
cheers
bruce
What a great collection of photographs and memories. A fascinating time almost forgotten in history, just before PNG independence… I was a 7 year old son of Captain John F. Williams who served in Murray Barracks for just under a year.
We returned to Australia with some great memories, but minimal photo’s!! In particular i was interested in knowing if anyone had pictures of ‘daily life’ at the time – i.e.: married quarters at murray barracks, houseboys, vegetation – trees, gardens, etc and any social activity… Dad used to involve us in movie nights – and sing-sings… I’m currently trying to write a book about our time there and any help to bring a little more reality to the images i have in my mind would be fantastic!
Photo No. 32 Captioned Tatana Village 1967 is actually of the Wanigela settlement at Koki. The Market is on the left just out of picture. There are no photos of Tatana in this collection.
Great photos and great memories.
Thought so, because I lived in Tatana, and the closest photo to Tatana, would have to be the one titled “Hanuabada village with Port Moresby in Background – 1967” ….. bUt that is a reverse shot IF it were Tatana with background of POM… as the village would have to be on the RIGHT of the shot towards POM.., in any case, the CAUSEWAY to Baruni Village is not included.
great pictures I was in pom 70/72
Nice Pics….the 4 sepia looking ones captioned Hanuabada 1967 are actually of Tubusereia village, 30 kilometers east of Port Moresby.
Thanks, Geoff.
Its difficult to get all details correct after 40 years
The picture titled “Hanuabada village – 1967” is actually Tatana (an island past Hanuabada on the way to Iduabada)
Great pics thank you
Hi Bob, just love your shots! I was first here back in 74 as a kid working in Moresby. I came back as an Advisor to Police in 2003 from the Territory and I’ve never gone back! I live out at 16 Mile on the Laloki River just past the former field hospital which was turned into Hugo Cannery (Ox & Palm bully beef production).
I’m just about to take over the leases which make up Hombrums Bluff and I would really like to know more about the place, especially if you know any military history of the area or further shots?
Ahhh… the last 2 pix (Mekeo and Iduabada) sends me back a way… I had a PMV (21 passenger carrying truck) that I drove from Port Moresby to bereina regularly 1 day there, next day back… as the roads were terrible in 1973, still being little more than the old Wartime Jeep track extended a bit with a few bridges added… until we hit the main river into Bereina itself, where the Mekeo people’s villages were centred from. In those days, we had to go around the edge of the hill jutting out towards Yule Island, to get to Iesubeipua village which was fairly close to the line-barge where we could cross the St Josephs River to enter Bereina town. The Mekeo people were my best passengers, and those people would rather pay me extra fare, than allow space for 1 Goilala! – the almost pygmy Goilala were considered unfair fighters, as they would use razor-sharp axes instead of fists.
I lived in 39 Wau Ave Murray Barracks from 1967 to 1969. Our paths must have crossed. I have a few photos. And memories, happy to share
Thanks Elaine, it would be fantastic to see any images you have – i am particularly keen to see any images of the Murray Barracks army houses, the Primary School, the barracks swimming pool and the views from the ‘hill’ overlooking the harbours… My Father was going to replace Roger Jackson as CO, however Roger stayed on as we were shipped back to Melbourne where my sister required medical specialists… if it’s easier for you to contact me, you could try my work email bruce.williams@bastionbrands.com.au
i look forward to hearing from you Elaine
cheers
bruce
What a great collection of photographs and memories. A fascinating time almost forgotten in history, just before PNG independence… I was a 7 year old son of Captain John F. Williams who served in Murray Barracks for just under a year.
We returned to Australia with some great memories, but minimal photo’s!! In particular i was interested in knowing if anyone had pictures of ‘daily life’ at the time – i.e.: married quarters at murray barracks, houseboys, vegetation – trees, gardens, etc and any social activity… Dad used to involve us in movie nights – and sing-sings… I’m currently trying to write a book about our time there and any help to bring a little more reality to the images i have in my mind would be fantastic!
Photo No. 32 Captioned Tatana Village 1967 is actually of the Wanigela settlement at Koki. The Market is on the left just out of picture. There are no photos of Tatana in this collection.
Great photos and great memories.
Thought so, because I lived in Tatana, and the closest photo to Tatana, would have to be the one titled “Hanuabada village with Port Moresby in Background – 1967” ….. bUt that is a reverse shot IF it were Tatana with background of POM… as the village would have to be on the RIGHT of the shot towards POM.., in any case, the CAUSEWAY to Baruni Village is not included.
great pictures I was in pom 70/72
Nice Pics….the 4 sepia looking ones captioned Hanuabada 1967 are actually of Tubusereia village, 30 kilometers east of Port Moresby.
Thanks, Geoff.
Its difficult to get all details correct after 40 years
The picture titled “Hanuabada village – 1967” is actually Tatana (an island past Hanuabada on the way to Iduabada)
Great pics thank you
Hi Bob, just love your shots! I was first here back in 74 as a kid working in Moresby. I came back as an Advisor to Police in 2003 from the Territory and I’ve never gone back! I live out at 16 Mile on the Laloki River just past the former field hospital which was turned into Hugo Cannery (Ox & Palm bully beef production).
I’m just about to take over the leases which make up Hombrums Bluff and I would really like to know more about the place, especially if you know any military history of the area or further shots?
Ahhh… the last 2 pix (Mekeo and Iduabada) sends me back a way… I had a PMV (21 passenger carrying truck) that I drove from Port Moresby to bereina regularly 1 day there, next day back… as the roads were terrible in 1973, still being little more than the old Wartime Jeep track extended a bit with a few bridges added… until we hit the main river into Bereina itself, where the Mekeo people’s villages were centred from. In those days, we had to go around the edge of the hill jutting out towards Yule Island, to get to Iesubeipua village which was fairly close to the line-barge where we could cross the St Josephs River to enter Bereina town. The Mekeo people were my best passengers, and those people would rather pay me extra fare, than allow space for 1 Goilala! – the almost pygmy Goilala were considered unfair fighters, as they would use razor-sharp axes instead of fists.