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Alan Hooper served in New Guinea during the Second World War with 1 Papuan Infantry Battalion (1 PIB) and Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU).
Read the blog before you begin ! Alan and Nancy Hooper Second World War correspondence
This fourth collection of 43 letters are from 1943, during which Alan Hooper was transferred to the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) established to maintain law and order and medical services in areas not occupied by the Japanese, and organize resources to assist the war effort. They were located very close to the fighting and he suffered from chronic dysentery. His unit became expert 'Jap hunters' and they hosted war correspondents and photographers.
Early in the year Alan was sent on leave to Australia to recuperate from an operation and treatment for Malaria, during this time Nancy and Alan had the opportunity to see each other as he convalesced at Burleigh Heads and he proposed they marry while he is on leave.
Alan and Nancy were married at the Lota Presbyterian Church in Brisbane and soon after he was returned to active duty in New Guinea, travelling by train first to Townsville before flying again to Port Moresby.
Note: several items are incomplete, or have pages missing.
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