Marsh, John Henry (Sergeant, b.1919)

Diary (in minute book) kept by Sergeant J.H. Marsh (R.C.S.) during an expedition to New Britain in March and April 1942. The expedition, led by Lieutenant A.T. Timperley (Papua Administrative Unit/ANGAU), was an attempt to rescue Australian troops and civilians gathered at a Roman Catholic mission at Malmal (inland from the coastal settlement, Palmalmal) following their retreat before the Japanese advance in New Britain. The diary provides a detailed record of the trip on the motor launch 'Mascot' from Kapa Kapa on the New Guinea mainland through Samarai (Milne Bay) and Losuia (Trobiand Islands), arriving at Palmalmal on 5 April, and the return journey with 165 soldier and civilian evacuees with other vessels (including the 'Laurabada'), arriving at Port Moresby two weeks later. Marsh's responsibilities were to maintain the boat engines and radio equipment. There is a list of soldier evacuees and their units (especially the 2/22 Battalion) after the last entry. The episode is described in L. Wigmore's Official History volume, 'The Japanese Thrust'.