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Bill Brown's photographs
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(click on images to enlarge)
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Maprik Office notes:
Concept and Design: ADC Bob Bunting DFC (Aust) & DFC (USA)
Fascade: PO Nigel Van Ruthe
Hand Carved Kwila Pillars Admin Driver AGWI of Korogo, Sepik River
Cement Blocks: Built on site by guests of the Government.
Maprik wall plaque notes:
I had the Wall built circa 1965 to carry the copper plaque from the old ADO's house when I had the house demolished. The plaque was inscribed: " "In appreciation of the gallant services rendered by the natives of New Guinea to 17 Aus. Inf. Bde in operations against the Japs. in 1945"
Bob Cole wrote "I happened to be in charge of the ANGAU people attached to the 17th Brigade & that brought me fairly close to the old fellow" [Brigadier Moten] "because I had to report daily after each bout of interrogations" . ……….. "When we re-took Maprik in April 1945 I started rebuilding the Sation in bush materials & it was then that the Brig thought up the idea of the Brigade building the house as a gesture of thanks to the locals for their assistance during the campaign." "The campaign was almost over at this stage & there were surplus troops everywhere waiting return home so he had a heap of tradesman sorted out from the Brigade, set up a sawmill at Bainyik, had plans drawn & approved by me & set them to work. Unfortunately it had to be build of green timber …."
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