Cameron, Donald M (MHR for Fadden (Qld))

Places
Accession Number PR87/078
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement Extent: 12 cm; Wallet/s: 7
Object type Letter
Maker Cameron, Donald M
Place made Australia
Date made 1981-1987
Access Open
Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. AWM315 419/016/047
Conflict Korea, 1950-1953
Second World War, 1939-1945
South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960
Vietnam, 1962-1975
Period 1980-1989
First World War, 1914-1918
Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

Collection relating to the military service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during the South African (Boer) War, First World War, Second World War, Malayan Emergency, Korean War and Vietnam War. Collection compiled by Donald Milner Cameron AM while serving as Member of Parliament for Fadden and later Moreton, 1981-1987.

The collection contains lists of names, correspondence, phone messages, photographs, press cuttings. The content of the correspondence is mixed. Many statements offer details about the service people, including ranks, units, period of service. Others give only names, some of which are partial. Other letters include anecdotes of service. From Wallet 5 of 7 onwards, the collection includes nominal rolls compiled from the material sent to Cameron. The material has not been arranged by date or content.

The collection identifies over 1,400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who served in Australia's armed forces.

History / Summary

The first known comprehensive list of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander srvice personnel was compiled c 1980 by Mr Don Cameron, then Federal Liberal MP for the Queensland seat of Fadden. He contacted every existing newspaper in Australia, inviting readers to supply any known details of Indigenous and Torres Strait Island people who had served in Australia's armed forces during any conflict, including the South African War. His effort was well-rewarded and in 1987, Mr Cameron donated his research documents to the Australian War Memorial. They provide an invaluable contribution to the acknowledgement of Indigenous and Torres Strait Island service to Australia.