Patrol diaries and reports, 1938-55

Component identifier:

Series 2

Content Summary:

Downs took up his appointment to New Guinea in 1936 and was one of the first patrol officers assigned to the Western Highlands. This series includes his patrol diary compiled whilst accompanying John Black and Jim Taylor on part of their famous Hagen-Sepik patrol in 1938-39, which contains quite detailed entries for the period January-May 1939. Also filed here are his copies of the Crown Law Office circulars, 1924-25 and District standing instructions, 1925 (annotated by Downs to 1939). Regarded as the ‘Patrol Officer’s bible’ these items would normally have accompanied officers everywhere in their duties.

A copy of Downs’ Hagen-Sepik patrol report is contained in the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau microfilm 607.

The photographs in file 8 were taken by Downs or by P.O. Murray Edwards, First Officer-in-Charge Mt Hagen (February-December 1938). Captions in double quote marks are Downs’; additional information added by Bill Gammage in 1999. Photographs 2-10 relate to the Hagen-Sepik Patrol.

Names:

Ian Downs

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