Farrel’s Indigenous wedding makes waves

Some terms used in this article represent the language of the era, and today may be considered racist or offensive. The views expressed do not reflect those of the Australian War Memorial.

Arthur Farrell served in the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion during the Second World War, opposing Japanese forces on Morotai and Tarakan islands (in present-day Indonesia). After Japanese surrender, he went on to serve with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, involved in the postwar occupation of Japan.

Known as Archie, Corporal Farrell discharged from service before marrying Elizabeth Dalgety in Perth in 1947. The couple had met during the war, corresponding twice weekly before marrying.

Their wedding made waves in the press because of their status as Indigenous Australians.

Born in Carnamah, Western Australia on 12 November 1918, Farrell is believed to have been the son of Placido Farrell and Jessie Nebrong (also recorded as Naberong, Nabbero, Nabrah, Nibberong, Neberong). Jessie was later reported as having given birth to twins, a boy and girl, who died shortly afterwards at “the Native Camp in Carnamah” on 10 September 1922. Her partner buried the twins in the bush at Carnamah, where they lived in a block of timber between the Carnamah House homestead and the Carnamah townsite.

It is likely that Jessie was one of the Noongar people, whose Country spans from the coast north of Geraldton to the south coast near Esperance, extending inland to the wheat belt region of Western Australia.

Archie went on to be an outstanding sportsman, playing for the Arrino Cricket Club and Arrino Football Club, and considered one of the best players within the North Midlands Football Association.

With the coming of the Second World War, Archie Farrell enlisted for service in Perth on 27 February 1942. After training at Northam and Wanneroo, he served on Morotai Island and Tarakan Island.

In the midst of his service, Farrell’s racial status caused problems. Segregation was common, and Indigenous people could be made wards of the government if they weren’t living like white Australians. Some were jailed for speaking their language. Those who served to fight for their country couldn’t share a drink with their digger mates in the pub because they were black.

In December 1943, Farrell was required to be represented by the Native Affairs Department while facing charges of drunkenness. In this case, the prosecuting sergeant and judge agreed: “If he is fit to fight for his country, I don’t see why he should be represented.”

As the Second World War came to a close, Arthur Farrell’s uncle, Edward Farrell, who had also served, appeared in Geraldton Courthouse to apply for citizenship rights. Witnesses appeared to testify that Edward (known as Teddy) had served in the 19th Garrison Battalion, and was a “clean living and very efficient soldier”. Edward had, like Arthur, also seen service after the war, probably also with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. The news for Edward was good: “the magistrate said that the application would be granted.”

Like Edward, Archie Farrell went on to serve in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, a taskforce consisting of Australian, British, Indian, and New Zealander military forces in occupied Japan.

Arriving in Kure, Hiroshima, Japan on 23 February 1946, he was promoted to corporal in October, and returned to Australia in December. After discharging from the Australian Army, he married Elizabeth Dalgety in Perth in 1947. The couple made a home in Arrino, a small town in the mid-west of Western Australia. Archie joined the Arrino Football Club and Three Springs Cricket Club while working as a railway repairer, and the couple had seven children: Fay, Doreen, Barbara, Noleen, Yvonne, Elizabeth, and Kerry.

Today, the couple lie buried together at Utakarra Cemetery in Geraldton, Western Australia.