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Papers of Bryan Rofe, c. 1940-1971

Abstract Or Scope

Papers relate to Rofe's work in upper-atmosphere research and in the application of space techniques to meterology and earth service. They consist of unclassified correspondence, telegrams and memoranda from within the Department of Supply and with outside research organisations. There are also photographs taken at his retirement from Salisbury, papers relating to his work with COSPAR and ICUMA and files and reports on his various overseas trips. A second installment of papers relate to Rofe's services in the R.A.A.F. during World War II and his work at W.R.E. Salisbury and the Australian Antarctic Division, Melbourne. They include an Allied Geography of the South West Pacific area 1943; correspondence, typescript and published articles by Rofe and others, and notebooks relating to upper atmosphere research; newspaper clippings and photographs of the launching of WRESAT I and photographs of his retirement in 1970. The papers relating to the Antarctic Division include roneoed newsletters, a typescript article entitled 'Nine days alone on the Gotley Glacier,' newspaper clippings and photographs and slides of a trip to the Antarctic in 1970. Collection also contains letters of condolence including letters from Sir Kenneth Anderson, P. M. Twiss, J. H. Dolphin, and P. Duff; photographs taken at overseas conferences, of Carnarvon, W.A., family photographs, an M.B.E. medal and other miscellaneous items. Many of the photographs in this second consignment were annotated by Mrs. Rofe. Additionally there are approximately 2000 letters written by Bryan Rofe and his wife Patricia (nee Whitford) during World War II, that describe the events taking place in their daily lives. Bryan Rofe served in the RAAF Meteorological Service and was posted to Timor as a RAAF Flying Officer. In 1942, Rofe was placed in command of a group of 29 Australian servicemen who, for 58 days, evaded the Japanese invasion of Timor before being picked up from a beach at night by the submarine USS Searaven. Rofe's grandson Tom Trumble, wrote the book 'Rescue at 2100 Hours: the untold story of the most daring escape of the Pacific war' based on information found in these letters along with diaries of Rofe and other servicemen and wartime records. The collection also includes a photo of the US submarine USS Searaven signed by the officers and crew of the submarine; a 1943 portrait photograph of Bryan Rofe as a Squadron Leader in the RAAF; telegrams, poems, photographs and drawings.

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