One of two albums of photographs, mostly taken by NX88505 Sergeant (Sgt) John Henry Lawrie during ...

One of two albums of photographs, mostly taken by NX88505 Sergeant (Sgt) John Henry Lawrie during his training around Trinity Beach near Cairns, far north Queensland, and during his service in Papua New Guinea (PNG) from 1942 to 44. Sgt Lawrie was born in Maitland NSW on 2 September 1904 and enlisted on 13 February 1942 in Sydney. Prior to joining the army, he worked as a school teacher and was married with two children. He was part of 2/2 Pioneer Battalion and an amateur photographer. Sgt Lawrie contracted malaria and was evacuated to the 113 Australian General Hospital (AGH) in April 1944 and transferred to the 116 AGH in June 1944. He did not recover sufficient health to re-join his battalion and instead transferred to the Land Headquarters School of Military Intelligence in September 1944. He was discharged on 2 December 1944 and died on 15 May 1960.
Sgt Lawrie originally aimed at recording his personal experiences and impressions with his camera but ended up compiling a fairly comprehensive visual record of 2/2 Pioneer Battalion’s experiences of jungle warfare in the Ramu Valley and Huon Peninsula in PNG.

Blue, string bound album of 45 black and white photographic prints spread over 26 pages. The photographs mostly depict training operations around Trinity Beach in 1942 and men convalescing at the 116 AGH. Included in the album are photographs of: Jim Crow; George Gibson; Jim Hunter; Arkinstall; Curly Warne; Ray Burroughs; Robert Philpots; Tom Brabin; Trovaro; Linton; Sheen; Lewis; Neezby; Peterson; Sister O’Neill; Sister Hutton; Sister Seer; NX148 Brigadier Ivan Dougherty; NX70837 Colonel Charles Hodgson, VX15144 Captain Frank Bellmaine; “Tich” Watson; Kev Neville; NX14637 WO1 Claude Knight; “Duke” Wellington; Jennings; Horrie Johnston; Fred Craig; “Tojo” Gregory; Reg hann; Reg. Wilson; Bob Sutton; Geoff Hammond; Jim Glwyas; Tim O’Donohue; Carl Kaspar; Bill Grace; Graydon; Cregan; and “Ajax”.