Men Of Aib
pp. 24-25 · Read in the full issue
List of Territorions Who Served in Famous Unit
r BLOWING the complete list of Pacific Islands men who served in what was the most “hush-hush” and most dangerous service in the war in the South-West Pacific—the Allied Intelli gence Bureau (known usually as the
Aib).
Served Prior To April, 1943
Butteris, W. A. H., Sgt.
Obst, G. A., Wo.Il
Benham, G., Sub-Lieut.—DSC (killed in action).
Train, G. H. C., Lieut.
Tupling, W. L., Petty Officer.
Kyle, A. F., Lieut. —DSC (killed in action).
Served From April, 1943-August,
1945
Army Nco S
Elkington, T. H. C., Sgt.
Freund, A. P. H., WO.IL Healy, R., WO.IL Jeune, P. C., Cpl.—C in CC.
Johnson, H. M., WO.IL Kuper, H„ Pte., BSIP —BEM.
Monfries, R. 8., Sgt.—MM.
Selmes, J. G., Sgt.
Stamper, L., Sgt.
Naval Officers
(Unless otherwise shown, the rank is Lieut. or Sub-Lieut.) Andresen, A. M., Sub.-Lieut—MlD.
Bastin, R.
Bell, C. B.
Bell, L. J.
Bell, S. G. V.—Leg. of M.
Boye, R. 0., 3rd Officer, WRANS—BEM.
Bridge, K. W. T—DSC, Leg. of M.
Campbell, A.—MC, MID.
Douglas, K. C.
Evans, A. R.—DSC.
Feldt, E. A., Comr.—OßE.
Firth, R.—LM.
Hay, K. D.
Horton, D. C.—DSC, SS.
Josselyn, H. E. —DSC, SS.
Keanan, J. R. —DSC, LM.
Mackenzie, H. A., Lieut.-Comr.—LM.
Mason, P. E.—Dsc, Dsc (Us).
Mollison, P. J.
McColl, K. H.
Olander, A. R.
Page, C. L—MID.
Palmer, A. E.
Palmer, P. F.
Read, W. J.—Dsc (Us).
Reid, J. S.
Rhodes, F. A. —DSC, SS.
Sexton, T. O. —LM, MID.
Smith, A. K.—MM, DSC.
Drummond Thomson, A. —LM Waddell, A. N. A.—DSC.
Wright, M. H.—DSC.
Army Officers
Aiken, H. A., T/Capt.
Archer, G. R., T/Capt.—MC.
Ashton, L. E., T/Capt.
Bates, C. D., Capt.—MC.
Bengough, C. F, N., Lieut.-Colonel.
Bock, R. A., T/Capt.
Bullen, Capt.
Campbridge. R. C., Capt.
Chambers, D. G. N., Capt.
Clemens, W., Major.
Corlass, A. J., Lieut.
English, W. M., Capt.—MßE, MID.
Pairfax-Ross, 8.. Major.
Fryer, H. A. J., Capt.— MßE.
Gilmore, J. L., Lieut. —DCM.
Greathead, G., Major.
Hall, B. W. G., Lieut.—DCM.
Hamilton, H. E., Capt.
Harris, G. C., Capt.—MlD.
Johnson, C. K., Capt.—MlD.
Kennedy, G. D., Major—DSO, Navy Cross.
Laws, D. A., Lieut.
Maclean, A., Capt.
McCarthy, J. K. M., Major—MßE.
McKay, R. S.
Murray, H. J., Capt.—MC, DCM, SS.
Noakes, L. C—LM.
Pursehouse, L., Capt.
Reid, J. D.
Roberts, A. A., Major.
Robertson, H. W. F., Capt.
Robinson, E. D., Capt.—MC.
Searle, K. M., Capt.—MC.
Seton, C. W., Capt—DCM.
Skinner, R. 1., Major—MC.
Stephenson, G.
Stokie, L. J., Capt.—MC. •Waters, H. F„ Capt.
Williams, H. L., Capt.—MO.
Naval Ratings
Allen. J., CPO Tel.
Buckland, J., WO.
Dunstone, A. J., CPO.
McNicol, J. B„ A/B—DSM.
Neale, T. D„ CPO Tel.
Watson, W.. CPO Tel.
Young, L, T., CPO, Tel.
Raaf Officers
(Flight Lieut., unless otherwise stated) Corrigan, J. A.—LM, MID.
Fay, L. P.
Hooper, C. F.
Koch, H.—Mc, Mid.
Leydin, F. J.
Marsland, G. H.—MBE, MID.
Riddall, J. V., F/O.
Robinson, R. A., Sq.-Ldr.—MlD.
Robson, E., W/O.
Sandford, N. C.
Spencer, E. —LM, SS.
Stuart, R., F/O.
The AIB was organised originally, in 1939, by Commander Eric Feldt, who was a well-known District Officer in New Guinea. He directed the organisation, with success and distinction, until he was compelled to drop out, owing to ill health; and then Commander J. C.
McManus (a Royal Navy Intelligence Officer) took charge, with Lieut.-Com mander Hugh Mackenzie (formerly a planter at Rabaul) as second-in-com mand.
As time packed, and the organisation and trained personnel grew, the AIB did a job of extraordinary value in the Ter ritories where there had been Jap in vasion. The total strength of the unit was about 450 white men, with additional native helpers. All were specially selected and trained. Their .achievements already are legendary—it is to be hoped that someone will write their record while the memory of their experiences is still fresh in their minds.
Readers are asked to note the extra ordinary number of decorations awarded, both British and American, in proportion to the number who served. Many of these men lost their lives.
Abbreviations: DSC—Distinguished Service Cross (British and American). MM—Military Medal. DCM—Distinguished Conduct Medal.
MC —Military Cross. MBE—Member of Order of the British Empire. OBE—Officer of the Order of the British Empire. MlD—Mentioned in Despatches. LM--Member of the Legion of Merit (American I. SS —Awarded Silver Star (American). C in CC —Commended by Com mander-in-Chief. DSO —Distinguished Service Order.
It is rumoured in Apia, W. Samoa, that American interests will shortly build a large hotel in the town to cater for post war tourist traffic.