Post by anthony on Sept 5, 2009 4:53:39 GMT
Yesterday was the 67th anniversary of the action for which Corporal John French was awarded the Victoria Cross. Nearly every reference states that the award was for New Guinea but the words New Guinea do not appear in either the gazetted citation or in the War Office 1953 Alphabetical list of recipients.
Milne Bay is, of course, on the island on New Guinea but in 1942 it was in the Australian Territory of Papua claimed by Queensland in 1880 and the responsibility of the Australian Government since federation on 1 January 1901. It was jointly administrated with the mandated Territory of New Guinea but the territories were separate legal entries.
A work colleague found out much to his surprise when he was in a security position in the Australian public service some years ago that he was not an Australian citizen since he had been born in New Guinea. If he had been born in Papua he would have automatically been an Australians citizen.
During the Second World War nine Victoria Crosses were awarded to eight members of the Australian Military Forces and to one RAAF airman in what is now Papua New Guinea. Two, French and Kingsbury, were in the then Territory of Papua and seven were in the Territory of New Guinea including two on Bougainville.
Milne Bay is, of course, on the island on New Guinea but in 1942 it was in the Australian Territory of Papua claimed by Queensland in 1880 and the responsibility of the Australian Government since federation on 1 January 1901. It was jointly administrated with the mandated Territory of New Guinea but the territories were separate legal entries.
A work colleague found out much to his surprise when he was in a security position in the Australian public service some years ago that he was not an Australian citizen since he had been born in New Guinea. If he had been born in Papua he would have automatically been an Australians citizen.
During the Second World War nine Victoria Crosses were awarded to eight members of the Australian Military Forces and to one RAAF airman in what is now Papua New Guinea. Two, French and Kingsbury, were in the then Territory of Papua and seven were in the Territory of New Guinea including two on Bougainville.