The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Discussing pre-war employment; enlistment and training; formation of 53rd Battalion; inadequacy of training period prior to embarkation for New Guinea; arrival in Port Moresby; inadequacy of supplies; bombing of MV Macdhui; moving out of Port Moresby and onto Kokoda Trail; first contact with Japanese Forces; death of Colonel Ward and reaction by battalion; battalion morale; withdrawal from Kokoda to Port Moresby; battalion portrayed as 'rabble'; amalgamation with 55th Battalion and new officers; action at Soputa; high casualty rate in battalion; return to Australia; contact with American forces in Townsville; Japanese atrocities; compound duties in Rabaul; demobilisation; post-war employment.
Part 1 of William Archibald (Bill) Elliott, as a Sergeant, 55/53rd Battalion, interviewed by Daniel Connell for the Keith Murdoch Sound Archives of Australia in the War of 1939-45
Part 2 of William Archibald (Bill) Elliott, as a Sergeant, 55/53rd Battalion, interviewed by Daniel Connell for the Keith Murdoch Sound Archives of Australia in the War of 1939-45
Part 3 of William Archibald (Bill) Elliott, as a Sergeant, 55/53rd Battalion, interviewed by Daniel Connell for the Keith Murdoch Sound Archives of Australia in the War of 1939-45
Discussing pre-war employment; call-up for 55th Battalion; army training at Greta Camp; tensions between AIF and Militia recruits; embarkation for Port Moresby; description of bombing of the Macdhui;
Discussing pre-war employment; formation of 53rd Battalion; AIF/Militia conflict; embarkation for New Guinea on the Aquitania; landing at Port Moresby; first raid on Port Moresby; lack of training and
Discussing enlistment in militia; pre-war employment; transfer to AIF in 1941; embarkation for Port Moresby on the Aquitania; Kokoda Campaigns and inadequacy of Australia's preparations; battalion cas
Discussing call up notice for 53rd Battalion; army training at Ingleburn Camp; selection as signaller; embarkation for New Guinea on the Aquitania; arrival at Port Moresby; poor morale of battalion du
Discusses enlistment in militia (AMF); army training at Greta Camp; recruits; leisure; embarkation for Port Moresby; Kokoda Trail; militia (AMF)-AIF rivalry; transfer to the AIF; amalgamation with 53r
Discussing pre-war employment; employer's encouragement to join the Militia; posting to Transport Company; relationship between Militia and AIF; training at Greta Camp; embarkation for New Guinea via