Betty, John G. (Lieutenant, b: 1922)

Typescript (approximately 100 pages) of memoirs: "Droggie" - Reminiscences of a Naval Hydrographer In World War II In The Pacific", by Lieutenant John G. Betty, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR). Memoirs cover 1943-1946, when Betty was a crew member of hydrographic survey missions for the RANVR's Hydrographic Branch. Betty's missions were primarily concerned with the South West Pacific Area, including Torres Strait and coastal areas of New Guinea, primarily to collect data for production of Navy navigation charts. The memoirs provide an initial sketch of Betty, who joined the RANVR as a Sub-Lieutenant after completing his degree in Engineering (Civil) in 1943. The memoirs include anecdotes and descriptions of war situations and various duties of the survey crews and the Hydrographic Branch in general. Illustrated by four maps: The New Guinea Survey - Area of Operations, The Timor Sea Survey - Area of Operations, The Philippines and Post-War Re-Occupation - "Warrego's Voyages". The memoirs are complemented by an article: "The Survey MotorBoats (SMBs)", written by Betty in 1995, explaining the role of Survey Motor Boats in hydrographic survey operations, particulary as used by the RANVR in Second World War and immediately afterwards.