Alan and Nancy Hooper, Second World War correspondence

Letters of Alan Hooper, 1 Papuan Infantry Battalion (1PIB) & Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) to his sweetheart Nancy O'Neill, during the Second World War.

Over 500 letters written between June 1940 and September 1945, principally by Alan Hooper (1918-2014), with some from friends and family. Their narratives lead us through Alan Hooper's wartime experiences in New Guinea, and the life of his fiancé Nancy at home in Brisbane.

New Guinea and Australian soldiers, 1942

On the Kokoda Trail, 1942. Photograph by Damien Parer, Courtesy Australian War Memorial
D Company, 39th Battalion, Isurava, 1942. Photograph by Damien Parer, Courtesy Australian War Memorial

1 Papuan Infantry Battalion (1PIB)

Alan Hooper's war began in New Guinea with the 15th & 49th Infantry - garrison battalions, but as the threat from Japanese forces grew he was deployed to 1st Papuan Infantry Battalion (1PIB). This unit led by New Zealander Major William Watson was made up of Papuan privates and non commissioned officers, together with Australian officers. It was employed on scouting, reconnaissance and surveillance patrols against the Japanese, where the natural bushcraft of its native soldiers could be used to advantage.

On patrol, New Guinea, 1942-1944. Photographs from album. 31701, Alan Hooper and Nance Hooper correspondence, State Library of Queensland

Maroubra Force

As part of Maroubra Force [WikiPedia], the PIB fought alongside the Australian 39th Infantry Battalion [WikiPedia] at Kokoda, Deniki, and Isurava as the Japanese forced them back along the Kokoda track in 1942, but was withdrawn before the campaign finally turned in favour of the Australians. 'B Company' led by Alan Hooper remained in the area to send back reports of the enemy's activities

Alan Hooper, on Patrol. Photograph from album, 31701, Alan Hooper and Nance Hooper correspondence, State Library of Queensland.
Extract from Unit War Diary, 1 Papuan Infantry Battalion, July-November 1942. Courtesy Department of Defence & Australian War Memorial. Accession AWM2020.71.1125

A number of Lieutenant Hoopers' letters, messages and reports can also be found in the 1 Papuan Infantry Battalion, Unit War Diaries, available online at the Australian War Memorial. Most particularly between August and November 1942, reporting on enemy numbers and locations, dwindling food supplies and requests for radios and ammunition.

Nancy Hooper ...

Nance (Nancy) O'Neill 1921-1974, was just 19 and had been Alan's fiancée for 10 days, when she farewelled him at Central Railway Station, Brisbane in June 1940.

Portrait of Nance O'Neill. Courtesy National Archives of Australia, Series A9301, Item ID 204127485
Poster by Walter Lacy Jardine, RAAF Publications Unit, c1942. Courtesy Australian War Memorial, Accession Number: ARTV01114.
The Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) was formed in March 1941 for women keen to serve, to facilitate the release of male personnel for service overseas.

In March 1942, Nancy joined the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) - serving at RAAF Sandgate Base (SHQ); No 1 Bombing and Gunnery School (1 BAGS) at Evans Head northern NSW; and No.3 Embarkation Depot, Sandgate.

Nancy was discharged from the WAAAF at her own request in April 1943, she and Alan were married two months later in June while he was on leave from New Guinea.

Japanese postcards sent by Alan Hooper, to his wife Nancy. 31701, Alan Hooper and Nance Hooper correspondence

View of the Bataan Peninsula. Reverse of card reads: "Sweetheart Darling, Good News! I have just received confirmation of my leave. I'll be with you on June 7. I'm overjoyed, Yours Alan"
'Dawn Raid' [location unknown] - no message on reverse.

Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU)

In 1943 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. They were located close to the action and came under mortar fire. He wrote of his friend Captain Peter Brewer PX76 (ANGAU) who died in an air crash Letter 20 October 1944 and mate Thomas Bruce QX55175 (1PIB) who was killed in action Letter 31 December 1944

The letters and cards exchanged by Alan and Nancy include many engaging anecdotes illustrating their lives, at home and in service overseas:

Alan sharing and foraging for food and supplies after the arrival of a US aircrew whose craft had come down nearby. Letter 20 August 1942
Nancy lost her wedding rings in the surf, and was delighted to receive replacement ones from Alan. Letter 5 January 1944 & 26 January 1944
Alan's hunt for Christmas trees for the American units at Cape Killerton, which he retrieved from a site just beyond Buna, where many of their men had died in the fir tree grove, "from sniper trees to Xmas trees" Letter 31 December 1944

When Hooper returned from the war he went into business with his young wife Nancy opening Hoopers Supermarket at Darra, in Brisbane's west. Nancy died of breast cancer in 1975.

View the collection …

31701, Alan Hooper and Nance Hooper correspondence

Collection guide

Watch ...

Damien Parer's award winning newsreel 'Kokoda Front Line!' 1943