Damien Parer

Ace Cameraman Killed on Peleliu

ALTHOUGH not a Territorian, war photographer Damien Parer be longed to a family so well-known in New Guinea that his exploits were followed with great interest by “PIM” readers, and his death in action on September 17 is a matter of regret to all.

Parer served with the AIF as a war photographer for the Australian Depart ment of Information in the Middle East, Greece, and the Pacific. His work in New Guinea was outstanding and such films as “Kokoda Trail” probably did more to present jungle warfare and the part played in it by Australians, to British and Americans at home, than any other factor.

Although his films were internationally acclaimed and had done so much for this “overseas publicity” so frequently desired by Australian officialdom, the politician ridden Australian Department of Infor mation was too niggardly to provide him with adequate equipment or facilities for his job. Parer had no desire other than to work for Australia; but, after a dis pute with the Department last year he resigned and later joined the American j-i Com^ H ara mount. He was ac credited as their war photographer in the Pacific area.

Films which he took during the recent fighting on Guam, Parer believed to be some of the best of his career. It was said of him on that occasion that he went in ‘after the tanks and before the infantry. Risky work, but he believed that the results justified it. He was filming the action on Peleliu Island (Palau Group) when he was killed TPi ln J his year he married Miss f ?S tter ; °* Sydney - His brother, Alphonse (Fons) Parer is well-known in Sydney hotel circles and no less well known in New Guinea. Ray Parer, the airman, is a cousin; other members of the two branches of the Parer family are equally well-known in vhe Territories Ray was the pioneer Parer in New ?r^ ne Tr after i hi , I i ri came his br others. Bob and Kevin (killed in a Jap raid on Salamaua), £ind his sister, Jo; his uncle affectionately known as “Pop” Parer who owned the Wau Hotel; and his couSns MnS’ C f ri Jv, ail n Ben and sever al sisters. rnfrL 0f ? arer Sirls married New Guinea residents.

The photograph . shows Damien (bearded) when he went into the Owen Stanleys to film “Kokoda Trail” in 1942,

and in the kunai foothills met up with his brother, Cyril (right), then attached to the military forces in the area.