Medals For
pp. 15-16 · Read in the full issue
The Gallant 39?
Disgraceful Episode of Nauru Defence in 1941-42
PERSONS acquainted with the recent history of Nauru are indignant over an official announcement that the Defence Medal will be issued, on appli cation, to those members of the Nauru [ Volunteer Defence Force who rendered [l2 months’ part-time service between mid-1940 and December 7, 1941 (the day Japan entered the war); or one day of ' part-time service between December 8, 1941, and February 23, 1942 (when Nauru
[was evacuated).
Those who know the circumstances in [sist that certain members of the Nauru \ Volunteer Defence Force are not entitled to the medal, or to any kind of military
[decoration.
After the outbreak of World War 11, : a small formation was stationed on [Nauru, and did good work. About 60 I resident Europeans were enrolled as a Volunteer Defence Corps, to assist the AIF men in sentry and guard duties, etc.
The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, and bombed Nauru on December 8; and, from that date, a considerable section of the Nauru Vol unteer Defence Force was definitely r“windy.” Under the leadership of one or two loquacious gentlemen, they were un willing to undertake military duties, and argued that they would have a better chance of survival against the Japs if they were taken prisoners as unarmed civilians.
Finally, on January 11, 1942, 39 of these “Volunteers” signed a petition and pre sented it to the Administrator, asking that the Force be immediately disbanded, as they did not wish to bear arms.
The feelings of , the Administrator (Lieut.-Col. F. R. Chalmers, CMG, DSO, who later refused to leave Nauru in the official evacuation and was subsequently murdered there by the Japs) can be imagined. He appealed to the heroes to carry on; but it was of no avail, and they turned in their equipment, and refused further duty.
A minority of the Force remained on duty, however; and they were ably sup ported by all the Administration officials, Police-master Tom Cude, the two AWA radio operators (Messrs. Gollan and
Neale), and a number of Nauruan natives. The contempt they felt for the gallant 39 petitioners, skulking in their bungalows between January 11 and the evacuation on February 23, can be better imagined than described. Jap air raids were frequent during this period, and there was plenty of military service needed.
It had been hoped that this discredit able incident of the war’s early days would be forgotten. But the formal announcement by the Nauru Administra tor, Mr. Richards (Nauru Gazette of
January 6 and February 10, 1951), that the medal may be obtained on applica tion in writing to Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, by members of the Volunteer
Defence Force, including the gallant 39, has aroused indignation and anger among those who know of the incident; and a protest has been sent, accordingly, to the Australian military authorities.
Maybe, the gallant 39 now seeking medals thought that their petition was destroyed when Colonel Chalmers was murdered. It was not; it carries the 39 signatures (which ought to be published); and one of the arguments submitted by the petitioners against the idea that they should continue to carry arms reads thus: “Do you think that the small amount of prestige that could pos sibly be lost at Nauru would be im portant after that already lost by the Democracies in places that really matter?”
The Australian military folk would be wise to learn something of the back ground of that episode, and read the text of the petition, before giving to the gal lant 39 the same decoration that has been awarded to so many good men who really did their duty.