25-Years-Old Photograph Contains Some History

AN old photograph, whose historic

interest compensates for its lack of clarity. It was taken at “Piliba” plantation, 50 miles from Kavieng, New

Ireland, one -Sunday morning in 1921,

just as the party of young Australians (all returned soldiers of World War I) were setting out for a swim. From left to

right they are:

“Bill” Watson. —Now Major Bill Watson, DSO, MC and Bar, DCM —honours won mostly in World War 11. He formed the Native Battalion which fought so splendidly at Kokoda, Papua, against the Jap invasion.

Jeff'Braddon, son of Sir Henry Braddon, who served as Captain with distinction in World War H.

Ben Mocatta, son of Judge Mocatta, of Sydney.

He became a New Ireland planter and served in World War 11. Died on September 26, IS'46.

Tony Edgell, owner of “Flliba.” He served with RAAF in World War 11, and is now con

trolling the Edgell factories in Bathurst, NSW. He has interests in Manus, TNG. He married a Miss Bunting, of Samarai.

K. T. Allen, a brother of “Blue” Allen. He went away to World War II as a private, and came back with his commission. He is now sheep-farming at Inverell, NSW.

J. O. Stevenson. —Now a partner in a law firm in Sydney.

“Blue” Allen. —Now Colonel H. T. Allen, who won the OBE and other decorations in North Africa and New Guinea in World War 11.

He left his home in Wau in 1939 to look for World War II in the Middle East, and re turned to find that World War II had arrived at and destroyed his home in Wau.

Colin McKellar. —He owned “Pigibut” plantation, in the Tabar Islands, off New Ireland. He was captured by Japs in 1942, and was lost on the “Monte Video Maru.”

Thus, all of those eight men, except Mr.

McKellar, survived two wars, and most of them have won distinction of some kind.