John Myles Williams aggregated collection of papers

fonds

1927-1991

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Cartographic Materials

9661191

1.8 metres of textual material (10 boxes)
107 photographs

John Myles Williams was born in August 1915. He was educated at Newcastle Boys’ High School, St Ignatius College and the University of Sydney. He graduated B.A. in 1935, LL.B in 1939 and M.A. in 1989. He was admitted to the Bar in 1940. During World War Two he served in the A.I.F. mainly as a legal officer, rising to the rank of captain. From September 1945 to February 1946 he was Chief Prosecutor in the trial of 91 Japanese officers and guards accused of committing war crimes during the Japanese occupation of Ambon in the South Moluccas. In 1990 a feature movie ‘Blood Oath’ was produced based on his experiences at this trial. After the war he practiced as a barrister in Newcastle, becoming a Queen’s Counsel in 1961. From 1964 to 1985 he was a judge of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Collection 1: John Myles Williams papers, 1927-1989

Collection 2: Photographic evidence of war crimes committed against Australian prisoners of war and local people during the Japanese occupation of Ambon during World War II, used at the trials of Japanese officers and guards by Chief Prosecutor John Myles Williams, c.1945-1946

Collection 3: John Myles Williams further papers, 1989-1991