Helen Akee discusses her father Wabay Akee’s service with the Torres Strait Islander Light Infantry Battalion during World War 2. Wabay relocated to Thursday Island from Murray Island to serve with the battalion, leaving his wife and family behind. Helen believes he was 15 or 16 when he enlisted, and after the war he was disappointed with his treatment, particularly in relation to the government’s reluctance to give him and his fellow soldiers an appropriate pension. As a result, Wabay refused to attend Anzac Day ceremonies. Helen also briefly discusses other men who served.

This interview took place on 2 April 2014 in Brisbane and was conducted by Professor Mick Dodson as part of the Australian Research Council-funded research project Serving our Country: a history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the defence of Australia.

The interview recording above is made available to be listened to here by permission of the interviewee(s), Helen Akee. The recording may not be copied, reproduced or communicated in whole or in part without the prior permission of the interviewee(s). Requests for permission for use of this material should be made to the Serving our Country research project: our contact details.

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