Sparnon, Norman James (Captain, b.1913 - d.1995)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX142069 Captain Norman James Sparnon, Allied Translator and Interpreter Section, United States Department of the Army, Phillipines, 1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Collection contains an original handwritten diary, 8/11/1945 to 30/12/1945. Sparnon worked as a Japanese language officer, and was a witness for the prosecution in the capacity of Document Officer on Japanese captured documents, during the controversial war crimes trial of General Tomoyuki Yamashita, Commander of Japanese forces in the Philippines. The trial was conducted from 29 October to 17 December, 1945 in Manila, Philippines. In the diary Sparnon expresses his doubt in the guilt of Yamashita, and in the veracity of evidence brought against him during the trial. The diary contains the autograph signature of Yamashita, dated 5 December. Yamashita was later executed on 23 February 1946. Following his involvement in the trial, Sparnon arrived in Tokyo on 13 December 1945. The diary entries contain descriptions of Tokyo, and trips to Yokohama, Daibutsu and Ito. A typescript of Captain Sparnon's diary (with errata) is also included.

Collection also contains a letter typescript, 'Linguistics in Uniform', to "Colin" from Norman Sparnon. Undated. Sparnon outlines his early interest in the Japanese language, and his service during the war. He began learning Japanese through private tutors and following his enlistment in 1943, was given formal language training. He describes his work as a translater with the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) which was part of the US Department of the Army, and One Wireless Unit (IWU) during the war. He refers to his postings in Townsville, Port Moresby, Morotai, Manila and Tokyo. Following his discharge on 12 June 1946, Sparnon remained in Japan continuing his work for ATIS in a civilian capacity. Sparnon worked for ATIS during the Korean conflict and resigned in the mid 1950, as McCarthyism began to take hold. Sparnon and his American wife Mary, then departed Japan in January 1958.

Collection also contains 'My Ikebana Journey' by Norman Sparnon. This booklet is a compilation of articles written by Sparnon that describe his experience of living and working in Japan during the early years of post-war reconstruction, and his discovery of, and fascination with, the ancient Japanese flower arranging known as ikebana. As followers of the Sogetsu school of ikebana, Sparnon and his wife Mary were amongst the first people to introduce this ancient art to Australians. Sparnon was awarded an OAM in 1979.

Collection also contains a contemporary copy of a photograph of Captain Norman Sparnon, taken in Japan c 1945. The same image appears in 'My Ikebana Journey.'

• Wallet 1 of 1 - Collection relating to the service of Norman James Sparnon, 1945