Pictorial record of Ned Dwyer's time with AN&MEF Tropical Unit Page 1

13-12-14; Dear Kate, This is the style of savage the hill men are here. It would be good sport if they were to make an attack on the mission while we are here. They have rubbed them out twice before, the last time in Dec. 1911. They would get a glorious welcome if they came this year while we are here, but no such luck for us. The hill men are cannibals. Hoping you are all well at home.

I am yours affectionately, Brother E.J.D.

13-12-14; Dear Mother, Please send on the P.C. Printing Box for the small films and also 2 doz. Spool Films for No. 1 Ensignette. You will get them at Harringtons, also developing tank for same, some acid fixer and developer. We bought this card from the Sisters at the Convent here. I hope all is well down there. Your Sonny.

1-1-15; Dear Kate, How is this for a pretty picture? We see a great many like this. The natives go out in almost any sea with these catamarans. The sail that you see rolled is made of matting and these move the catamarans at a good speed. Sometimes the marys (gins) go out in smaller boats fishing and bathing. Two of us intended to go shooting today but it is raining too hard. We had good weather for Xmas but New Year is very wet. What sort of Xmas and New Year are you having down there? We have had a grand time here. Remember me to all friends. Love to Mother. I am Your Affectionate Brother, Sonny.

From Kavieng This photo has been printed locally as the paper bears a ‘Kodak Australia’ imprint.

14-1-15; Dear Mother, This is a good photo of a police boy. It was taken before we came by the Germans, but they are armed and dressed just the same now. They still have the German rifle and bayonets and ammunition that the Germans left behind. It saves the Commonwealth quite a lot of money. How would a battalion of these boys look marching through Queen St? I bet they would draw a crowd. They would be well worth watching. They march and drill splendidly. With love, Sonny.

Not dated but event in photo (a firing squad) is identified as occurring on 3 Feb 1915. Photograph is printed on ‘Empire’ paper. On the photo itself is hand written – “The volley was fired” at 3.30, 3-2-15 at Kavieng, N.I.

Dear Kate, This is one of the worse things in war. They are a couple of coons that went on the loose shooting at our people and any one that they had a grudge against. A couple of our boys caught them and brought them in. The picture was taken by a German just as “The volley was fired”. I am standing on the left of the firing line, my right hand on a revolver, a stick in my left hand. It was my job to guard against any mistake on the part of the firing party. They made no mistake. You can see the chips and dust flying from the coral at the back where the bullets stopped. Notice the kid in front covering his ears. Trust you are all well, Sonny.

13-3-15; Dear Kate, Things are very dull again here. I hope that Mother and the rest of you are keeping well. There is to be another Sing Sing on an island near here and the chief has invited me over. I think that a couple of fellows are coming with me and we will take our own Ki Ki. One of our chaps was bitten by a spider today and the day before yesterday I killed a snake on our verandah rail (cheerful place). I hope to get some decent pictures of this Sing Sing. I will be sending some films home soon, I hope, and I think the enlarging box. I do not get the chance to use it that I thought I would.

How is Fred and Clara getting on about the house? I suppose you got the small pictures I sent. I will send some more soon. Some of these boys are police boys under us now. I am still fit. I hope you are all same, Sonny.

Photo (hand coloured) of a building at Rabaul

21-3-15; Dear Mother, The mail is two days overdue. We are hoping that she has not been captured. How are you all getting on down there? All well here and fit and waiting for the papers. We pulled our boat up the other day and overhauled her as she was leaking a bit. When we had cleaned the bottom we found a bad patch. It was so much worm eaten that you could push your finger through it easy. We have put a patch on and fixed her up and we will soon be ready for a cruise in a day or two. The Sing Sing on Nusalich turned out to be a wake and did not last long for which we were not sorry. The Corporal here is planting a lot of crotons about the house. When he sees a good one in the scrub he gets a piece and brings it home and sets it. He has some vegetables growing, too. Whenever you write always let me know how you are keeping. I am glad that you are getting the money all right and that the war is not troubling you any more than it is me. This is the best job I have ever struck. Sonny.