Donald Thomson Donald Thomson i(A92447 works by) (a.k.a. Donald F. Thomson; Donald Fergusson Thomson)
Born: Established: 1901 ; Died: Ceased: 1970
Gender: Male
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1 y separately published work icon N.T.S.R.U., 1941-1943 : Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit N.T.S.R.U. 1941 - 1943 Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit - Text and Photographs from the Report of SQN Leader Donald Thomson Donald Thomson , Charles Nawunggurr Yunupingu , Stephen David Fox , Yirrkala Literature Production Centre , Michael Christie , Nhulunbuy : Yirrkala Literature Production Centre , 1992 8131038 1992 single work prose war literature

'The history of a small and not very well known Australian Special Forces unit - the Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit .

Squadron Leader Donald Ferguson Thomson was seconded from the RAAF to the Australian Army to train a special task force of about fifty tribal Yolngu men from East Arnhem Land to defend the coastline of northern Australia from Japanese attack during World War 2.

They were called the Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit (NTSRU). They covered the territory north of the area patrolled by the Knackeroos. Their role was to provide Darwin with an early warning of a Japanese attack through East Arnhem Land. They were each paid 3 sticks of tobacco per week. If the Japanese had landed they were to carry on with a guerrilla war against the Japanese using their traditional weapons. Some of these tribal men had been jailed before the war for killing Japanese pearlers.

Squadron Leader Donald Thomson, made the first of several visits to Arnhem Land in 1935 where he travelled extensively to study the wildlife, people and customs of the area. He had lived with Djapu people for two years before the war and had gained their trust. He had a strong belief these men would make a valuable contribution to the defence of Australia. ' (Source: Regimental Books website)

2 2 y separately published work icon Donald Thomson in Arnhem Land Donald Thomson , Nicolas Peterson , Melbourne : Currey O'Neil , 1983 Z1233721 1983 single work autobiography

'In 1932 Japanese pearl fishermen came ashore in the Caledon Bay area of Arnhem Land and raped several Yolngu women. In retaliation they were fatally speared by Yolngu men who were gaoled and sentenced to death. Anthropologist Thomson convinced the government to set up a commission to investigate and subsequently they were released.' (Libraries Australia)

'Thomson recorded his experiences in newspaper and academic articles, private papers and extended reports to the government. Nicolas Peterson brings this material together as a compelling, highly personal narrative in Thomson's own words. It is a narrative that names all the Aboriginal people involved, presenting them as individuals in a way no other writings of the time do. Through it all Thomson's passionate commitment to Aboriginal rights as defender, critic and advocate, shines through.' (Melbourne University Publishing).

1 Yellow Dog Dingo Donald Thomson , 1968 single work essay
— Appears in: Walkabout's Australia 1968; (p. 158-161)
1 In Camp with the Stone Age Men : Life Among the Nomad Tribes of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland Donald Thomson , 1931 single work column
— Appears in: The Queenslander , 29 January 1931; (p. 3)
Visiting the Yinjinga tribe on lower Stewart River. Weapons, domestic animals, corroborees, arts and crafts and totemism.
1 In Camp with the Stone Age Men : Life among The Nomad Tribes of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland Donald Thomson , 1931 single work column
— Appears in: The Queenslander , 8 January 1931; (p. 4)
Kinship laws, marriage rights, treatment of children among the Yinjinga.
1 In Camp with the Stone Age Men : Life Among the Nomad Tribes of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland Donald Thomson , 1931 single work column
— Appears in: The Queenslander , 15 January 1931; (p. 4)
Visiting the Yinjinga tribe on the lower Stewart river; camp arrangements.
1 In Camp with the Stone Age Men : Life Among the Nomad Tribes of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland Donald Thomson , 1931 single work column
— Appears in: The Queenslander , 8 January 1931; (p. 4)
Journey to Cooktown en route to Cape York, description of the town, and account of Mrs. Watson, the heroine of Lizard Island, and her memorial there. Includes extracts from the journals.
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