‘A novel form of war memorial’: the AIF Malayan Nursing Scholarship and Australia–Asia relations

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Studies of war’s aftermath often centre on commemoration, grief, mourning, rehabilitation and reintegration into families, workplaces and communities. This paper concentrates on another peacetime initiative: philanthropic efforts to consolidate connections with regional neighbours forged during the Second World War. Through a study of the AIF Malayan Nursing Scholarship, the article examines how former prisoners of war understood and sought to influence Australia–Asia relations in the post-war period. The scholarship scheme typified relationship building at a transitional moment, when post-colonial and independent states began to challenge the assumptions that had governed the interactions between white Australians and Asia for several generations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)250-265
Number of pages16
JournalHistory Australia
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Apr 2017

Keywords

  • War memorials
  • Australia–Asia relations
  • prisoners of war
  • Singapore Chinese
  • nursing

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