Making History Module Essay by Susan Stephen

In this essay I will try to uncover an alternative reading to the colonial administration’s reading about Patrol Officer W.J. Brand’s report,[1]—that the carriers ‘lacked stamina’—and suggest four reasons why some carriers wanted to leave the patrol on the third day. Considerations include diet, malarial infection, entering diverse cultural areas and topography. I conclude that…

Making History Module Essay by Brianna Pick

In June and July of 1951, Patrol Officer (Kiap)[1] S.S. Smith undertook a patrol to the Southern Highlands; specifically, the Mendi Valley. He was accompanied by two Europeans, 10 Indigenous police officers and an average of 40 Indigenous carriers (including translators).[2] The patrol lasted 15 days, with an un-reported rest in between of 5 days….

Making History Module Essay by Sarah Donnison

This patrol report was created in 1950 in the Eastern Highlands district of Papua New Guinea. It is inclusive of the patrol objectives, a letter from the District Officer, another letter from the Patrol officer, an introduction, a diary of events, a document of observations, a review of the Native Constabulary present on patrol, and…

Making History Module Essay by Kate Davis

This report will examine the Patrol Report of the Nebilyer Valley from 7th of November 1957 to 7th of January 1958.[1] The patrol consisted of patrol officer J. W. Howlett, cadet D.C. Hargent, Lance Corporal Aia, five Constables and Tul-Tul Hinji as Official Interpreter; exploring the Nebilyer Valley, a place that had been neglected for…

Making History Module Essay by Louis Honeyman

The Erave ‘1/56-57’ patrol of the Kagua River Valley within the District of Southern Highlands was primarily concerned with the major objective to effect the arrest of those believed to have partaken in violence and fighting within the region. The patrol report indicated that this was achieved, ‘in that fighting has now stopped’.[1] The report…