Photograph of Barry Chirlian with a group of servicemen
Object numberM2021/026:051
TitlePhotograph of Barry Chirlian with a group of servicemen
DescriptionPhotograph of Barry Chirlian and a group of uniformed men. The photograph features two rows of men, one seated and one standing. Seated fourth from the left is Barry Chirlian. Barry was transferred to Biak as the Commanding Officer for 89 OBU on the 6 August 1945. He remained at Biak well after the formal surrender of the Japanese in September 1945 until January 1946.
Barnett (Barry) Chirlian was born in Midland Junction, Western Australia on 15 February 1903 to Jewish parents, Max Chirlian (1869-1952) and his wife Fanny Chirlian (nee Cohen).
Originally from Minsk, Russia, Max lived and worked in London as a master tailor before travelling to Australia aboard the OMRAH on 22 June 1900. Fanny (from Pinsk, Belarus) and the couple's two children, Henry and Annie Sophie, followed soon after via the ORTONA on 20 November 1901 to Western Australia. By the 1920s, the Chirlian family had resettled in Sydney, and had 4 more children: Barry, Louis, Dora and Esther (Jyan).
Barry worked within the newspaper industry, firstly as a reporter and then an advertising manager for the Sydney Mail. He eventually moved into the printing business, working for Websdale Shoosmith Ltd. An active man, he established a Jewish Social Golf Club (now Monash Country Club) and successfully participated in golfing competitions. On 20 October 1937, Barry married Hazel (Shibbie) Adelstein at the Great Synagogue in Sydney. The couple welcomed their only daughter, Carol Berne Chirlian on the 10 August 1940.
Barry began his military career at the age of 14, undertaking compulsory service in 1917 as a Senior Cadet during World War I in Perth. Before the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted for the Militia Forces in R.A.A. (Royal Australian Artillery) on 16 February 1939, a day after his 36th birthday. He served in the 2nd Military District, 5th Brigade and trained in the 116th Heavy Battery at South Head, Sydney. He served for two years as Lieutenant Bombardier, tasked with home front defence. He was discharged from the R.A.A. forces after receiving a commission in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a Pilot Officer at A & SD (Administrative & Special Duties) on 28 February 1942.
Barry served in the Royal Australian Air Force from 28 February 1942 until 3 January 1946. After undertaking initial Air Force training in 1942, he began his service in the RAAF in North Queensland at Townsville before being stationed at the 21 OBU (Operational Base Unit) Rockhampton on 3 May 1942. He writes of the lack of supplies and existing infrastructure at the base, with limited living quarters and food supplies and no beds or accommodations for the new men.
He was later stationed in Merauké, Dutch New Guinea with the 44 OBU between April 1943 and 15 July 1943. Barry was one of the first officers to command an overseas Operational Base Unit. He writes of his first impressions of Merauké on 23 April 1943;
'What a place is Maurauke (sic). Jungle & Swamp to the waters edge... This place is so thrilling, mysterious & Eastern. But the steamy jungle heat & mozzies are about unbearable.'
During his time at Merauké, whilst constructing the airstrip and buildings for the base, he frequently mentions red alerts signals of possible Japanese attacks. On 11 May 1943, he writes of the Japanese bombing at Merauke Base Camp from 11 AM;
'...And down came the bombs. Boy did I squeeze down to the bottom of my trench. Their first run came right over us & the nearest bomb burst about 200 yds away. Shraphnel (sic) sprayed everywhere... All I thought of all through was firstly Hazel & my Bub, then after that just an angry feeling at having to sit there & take it.'
In July 1943, Barry trained under the new Defence Course and travels down to Shepparton, Victoria. In December 1943, he was posted to oversee the 26 OBU in the Iron Ranges, Queensland. He writes of war news from both the European and Pacific Wars, the continued struggle for supplies and the frustrations of serving at an isolated base.
'I'm in a peculiar mood today. Feel as if I'm wasting so much of my life up here. Apart from the months at Merauke when I was really at war, the last 2 ½ years have been fairly monotonous. I wish I could either get into action again or right home with Hazel & Carol. Christ, I'm tired of it all!' (16 July 1944)
Barry continued to serve in the Iron Ranges until the disbandment of the base in December 1944. He would eventually be posted back to Sydney, arriving on 23 December. On the notification of his return, he enthusiastically writes;
'Hurrah! Hurray! Whacko and Ho Ho!! My posting is 2 PD! After nearly 3 years at last I'm on my way South. I can hardly believe its true... Look Shibbie here I come!' (12 December 1944)
He acted as Commanding Officer for the St Ives Training Squadron before he was posted to NORCOM (Northern Command) in June 1945. In July 1945, Barry headed again overseas as Commanding Officer at 89 OBU Biak and Madang, Dutch New Guinea. On 15 August 1945, the day the unit was officially formed by Barry, peace was declared by Japan. He writes;
'Peace declared... Now all I can think of is how long before I hold my darling Shibbie & my precious Bub in my arms! All I want is to get home & stay home!... [with] peace being definite I can hardly write! My whole being is shouting...'
However, surrender by the Japanese forces on Biak and the surrounding Pacific islands was not immediate. Barry continued at 89 OBU Biak with the RAAF, witnessing the official Japanese surrender in Biak on 12 September 1945 and the final movements of troops and returning POW's from the Pacific. After receiving the notification of discharge, he reflected on his time in the RAAF;
'The last day of 1945 and my happiest... I've this satisfaction that I've finished still in Command. And soon this diary of mine with all my hopes & fears, excitement & thrills, sadness & joy will be finished... My Air Force life is nearly over. It seems strange that after all these years as C.O., being [at] the beginning & ending of a Unit, whose word is law, having the power of breaking or making, having the worry of men's morale, health & happiness- yes of their very lives-I am now free.' (31 December 1945)
Barry was discharged from active service on 3 January 1946 and returned to Sydney. He continued in the RAAF as a General Reservist until 7 September 1960 when he was retired. He lived in Rose Bay and worked in the printing profession, establishing his own firm Barry Chirlian & Co. Barry passed away 28 June 1989, aged 86. Hazel 'Shibbie' Chirlian passed away 19 July 1989, aged 77.
Barnett (Barry) Chirlian was born in Midland Junction, Western Australia on 15 February 1903 to Jewish parents, Max Chirlian (1869-1952) and his wife Fanny Chirlian (nee Cohen).
Originally from Minsk, Russia, Max lived and worked in London as a master tailor before travelling to Australia aboard the OMRAH on 22 June 1900. Fanny (from Pinsk, Belarus) and the couple's two children, Henry and Annie Sophie, followed soon after via the ORTONA on 20 November 1901 to Western Australia. By the 1920s, the Chirlian family had resettled in Sydney, and had 4 more children: Barry, Louis, Dora and Esther (Jyan).
Barry worked within the newspaper industry, firstly as a reporter and then an advertising manager for the Sydney Mail. He eventually moved into the printing business, working for Websdale Shoosmith Ltd. An active man, he established a Jewish Social Golf Club (now Monash Country Club) and successfully participated in golfing competitions. On 20 October 1937, Barry married Hazel (Shibbie) Adelstein at the Great Synagogue in Sydney. The couple welcomed their only daughter, Carol Berne Chirlian on the 10 August 1940.
Barry began his military career at the age of 14, undertaking compulsory service in 1917 as a Senior Cadet during World War I in Perth. Before the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted for the Militia Forces in R.A.A. (Royal Australian Artillery) on 16 February 1939, a day after his 36th birthday. He served in the 2nd Military District, 5th Brigade and trained in the 116th Heavy Battery at South Head, Sydney. He served for two years as Lieutenant Bombardier, tasked with home front defence. He was discharged from the R.A.A. forces after receiving a commission in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a Pilot Officer at A & SD (Administrative & Special Duties) on 28 February 1942.
Barry served in the Royal Australian Air Force from 28 February 1942 until 3 January 1946. After undertaking initial Air Force training in 1942, he began his service in the RAAF in North Queensland at Townsville before being stationed at the 21 OBU (Operational Base Unit) Rockhampton on 3 May 1942. He writes of the lack of supplies and existing infrastructure at the base, with limited living quarters and food supplies and no beds or accommodations for the new men.
He was later stationed in Merauké, Dutch New Guinea with the 44 OBU between April 1943 and 15 July 1943. Barry was one of the first officers to command an overseas Operational Base Unit. He writes of his first impressions of Merauké on 23 April 1943;
'What a place is Maurauke (sic). Jungle & Swamp to the waters edge... This place is so thrilling, mysterious & Eastern. But the steamy jungle heat & mozzies are about unbearable.'
During his time at Merauké, whilst constructing the airstrip and buildings for the base, he frequently mentions red alerts signals of possible Japanese attacks. On 11 May 1943, he writes of the Japanese bombing at Merauke Base Camp from 11 AM;
'...And down came the bombs. Boy did I squeeze down to the bottom of my trench. Their first run came right over us & the nearest bomb burst about 200 yds away. Shraphnel (sic) sprayed everywhere... All I thought of all through was firstly Hazel & my Bub, then after that just an angry feeling at having to sit there & take it.'
In July 1943, Barry trained under the new Defence Course and travels down to Shepparton, Victoria. In December 1943, he was posted to oversee the 26 OBU in the Iron Ranges, Queensland. He writes of war news from both the European and Pacific Wars, the continued struggle for supplies and the frustrations of serving at an isolated base.
'I'm in a peculiar mood today. Feel as if I'm wasting so much of my life up here. Apart from the months at Merauke when I was really at war, the last 2 ½ years have been fairly monotonous. I wish I could either get into action again or right home with Hazel & Carol. Christ, I'm tired of it all!' (16 July 1944)
Barry continued to serve in the Iron Ranges until the disbandment of the base in December 1944. He would eventually be posted back to Sydney, arriving on 23 December. On the notification of his return, he enthusiastically writes;
'Hurrah! Hurray! Whacko and Ho Ho!! My posting is 2 PD! After nearly 3 years at last I'm on my way South. I can hardly believe its true... Look Shibbie here I come!' (12 December 1944)
He acted as Commanding Officer for the St Ives Training Squadron before he was posted to NORCOM (Northern Command) in June 1945. In July 1945, Barry headed again overseas as Commanding Officer at 89 OBU Biak and Madang, Dutch New Guinea. On 15 August 1945, the day the unit was officially formed by Barry, peace was declared by Japan. He writes;
'Peace declared... Now all I can think of is how long before I hold my darling Shibbie & my precious Bub in my arms! All I want is to get home & stay home!... [with] peace being definite I can hardly write! My whole being is shouting...'
However, surrender by the Japanese forces on Biak and the surrounding Pacific islands was not immediate. Barry continued at 89 OBU Biak with the RAAF, witnessing the official Japanese surrender in Biak on 12 September 1945 and the final movements of troops and returning POW's from the Pacific. After receiving the notification of discharge, he reflected on his time in the RAAF;
'The last day of 1945 and my happiest... I've this satisfaction that I've finished still in Command. And soon this diary of mine with all my hopes & fears, excitement & thrills, sadness & joy will be finished... My Air Force life is nearly over. It seems strange that after all these years as C.O., being [at] the beginning & ending of a Unit, whose word is law, having the power of breaking or making, having the worry of men's morale, health & happiness- yes of their very lives-I am now free.' (31 December 1945)
Barry was discharged from active service on 3 January 1946 and returned to Sydney. He continued in the RAAF as a General Reservist until 7 September 1960 when he was retired. He lived in Rose Bay and worked in the printing profession, establishing his own firm Barry Chirlian & Co. Barry passed away 28 June 1989, aged 86. Hazel 'Shibbie' Chirlian passed away 19 July 1989, aged 77.
Production placeBiak, Indonesia
Production date circa 1945
Object namephotographs
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 76.00 mm
height: 55.00 mm
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Jan Kaplan
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.