The Second World War brought more to bear on Cooktown, with the threat of a Japanese invasion following their landing in New Guinea. A garrison of 50 men, mostly veterans of the previous war thirty years earlier, was stationed in Cooktown at this time. They were tasked with the defence of the area from invasion, along with the newly formed Voluntary Defence Corp. All resident males were also given instructions as to their duties should the Japanese invade
Women and children were evacuated to Cairns in 1941 mostly by launch, with a few leaving by plane. With little prior warning given, the evacuees were allowed only a few personal belongings to take with them. They returned once the threat of invasion was over, and settled back down to their remote lifestyles.
Since then, Cooktown has established a small but steady residential and business community which now looks to be enticing more people back to the town. The lure is no longer the transient nature of gold, but rather the amazing natural assets of rainforest, open bushland, plains and pastures, sun and natural beaches.
This information was kindly researched by the Cooktown Historical Society.
Planes of World War II
If you have any information on the people or planes in these photos, please contact the Cooktown Historical Society.
