Records

Each record focuses on a single item from the National Archives' collection. Some records contain extra information to help you interpret them.

• Record

  

  Mobilisation form for migrant pearl diver

  This official military record shows that Samsudin bin Katib (or Kalib), a 24-year-old diver, joined the 23rd Labour Corps of the Australian Military Forces (AMF) on 20 June 1942.

• Record

  

  National Security Aliens Tribunal report on objections submitted by internee Wolf Klaphake

  A report about Wolf Klaphake, a German national who was classed as an enemy alien and held in an internment camp in Australia.

• Record

  

  Newspaper article about Australian plans for war orphans

  This is a newspaper article about Australian plans for war orphans, Second World War.

• Record

  

  Newspaper article advocating increased industry and population

  This 1944 article from the Sydney Morning Herald promotes a population goal of 30 million people by 1977 to protect Australia from invasion.

• Record

  

  No contact from HMAS Sydney – secret minute from Chief of Naval Staff to the Minister for Defence

  A secret report to the minister from the Chief of Naval Staff, 24 November 1941 concerning the lack of contact from HMAS Sydney.

• Record

  

  Offer from Australian women to help war effort – letter to Prime Minister John Curtin

  A letter written to Prime Minister John Curtin, from an Australian woman offering to assist in the war effort.

• Record

  

  Outbreak of war with Japan – War Cabinet minute

  This is the record of discussions and decisions of a meeting of the Australian War Cabinet held in Melbourne on 8 December 1941.

• Record

  

  Plans for post-Second World War migration policy

  This is a letter written to Prime Minister John Curtin in 1943, regarding plans for Australia following the end of the Second World War.

• Record

  

  Portrait of Prime Minister Arthur Fadden

  This is a black-and-white photograph of the Rt Hon. Sir Arthur Fadden, Australia's thirteenth Prime Minister.