Downer, Alexander 'Alick' Russell (Gunner, b.1910 - d.1981)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of SX10422 Acting Sergeant Alexander 'Alick' Russell Downer, 2/14th Field Regiment, prisoner of war in Changi. Collection consists of a typewritten manuscript titled ‘Government in Two Worlds: An Introductory Survey of the Governments of Britain and Australia’, by A R Downer. This unpublished monograph on comparative politics was entirely researched, written, typed and bound during Downer's captivity as a prisoner of war in Changi between February 1942 and September 1945.

Alick Downer returned to Australia after the war and pursued a successful career in politics. He won a seat in the House of Representatives for the Liberal-Country Party in 1949 which he held until retirement in 1964; he served as Minister for Immigration, reforming the White Australia policy; he served as Australian High Commissioner in London from 1964 to 1972; and was knighted in 1965. Sir Alick Downer died on 30 March 1981.

• 'Government in Two Worlds: An Introductory Survey of the Governments of Britain and Australia', by Alexander Russell Downer