Photographs relating to Commander Herbert G Whitebrook's RAN career during WWII

Subject or historical figure Commander Herbert Gordon Whitebrook (1907 - 1995)

Date1941-1945

Object numberANMS0296

NameArchive series

MediumPaper, silver gelatin prints

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from L Whitebrook

Terms

DescriptionThis archive collection is made up of photographs taken and collected by Commander Herbert Gordon Whitebrook between 1941 and 1945. An album and booklet contain the photographs of places he visited and his experiences during his service in the Royal Australian Navy in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia at the end of WWII. Some of the images depicted are of HMAS GLENELG, Allied soldiers, Australian and Japanese officers, peoples of Papua and Indonesia, various vessels including barges, outriggers and warships, as well as aerial views of islands.HistoryCommander Herbert Gordon Whitebrook was born 10 December 1907 in Sydney, New South Wales. He joined the Cadet Reserve of the Royal Australian Navy when he was 12 years old and remained in the reserve during his adult life. While serving in World War II he became the first Reserve officer to be given command of a vessel - HMAS GLENELG. During the war he served in HMA Ships KOOKABURRA, BENALLA, STELLA, HEROS and GLENELG. As commander of the GLENELG between March 1945 and January 1946, Whitebrook was involved in the Japanese surrender of Ambon in the Netherlands East Indies, and the consequent repatriation of Australian prisoners of war. During peace time, Whitebrook undertook his reserve training sessions on survey vessel HMAS MORESBY. Whitebrook retired from the Navy on 27 February 1952.SignificanceThis archive series documents Whitebrook's experiences during his service in the Royal Australian Navy. Many of the photographs convey the surrender of the Japanese second army in Ambon to Australian forces, and of the repatriation of Australian prisoners of war (the survivors of Gull Force). The collective images provide a rare personal glimpse into the darker side of Australia's involvement in the war in the Pacific.