Louise Corpus discusses Uncle Pinky – Phillip Corpus – and his service during World War 2.
Uncle Pinky’s mother was Aboriginal-Filipino and his father Japanese, and accordingly Louise believes that he joined the Australian Army so as not to be interned or seen as a threat.
She also understands that because of his Asian appearance, Uncle Pinky was not allowed to serve outside Australia.
With their Japanese surname, many of Uncle Pinky’s cousins were interned in the Northern Territory during the war, and he was charged with escorting them out periodically so they could meet their Aboriginal relatives.
Uncle Pinky did not speak about his service very much at all with family, except for during his 80s when he had to have a leg amputated, and he was proud that the operation was paid for by the government as a result of his Army service.
Watch Louise’s interview at the Sydney Yarn Up.
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Sources:
https://ourmobserved.anu.edu.au/yarn-ups/yarn-participants/louise-corpus