During 1942, the Japanese army was invading and capturing islands throughout the South  Pacific, laying a path to the Australian mainland.

The United States Marines fought a bloody battle on the island of Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands, the last hurdle to our shores.

They succeeded in halting the Japanese forces, but needed a rest and time to regroup to enable a concerted military battlegroup to clear the invaders from the South pacific.

In January 1943, members of the 11th U.S.Marines regiment arrived in Ballarat, some camped at Victoria Park, others billeted with people in the community. Many Ballarat people remember these Marines with affection, and many lifelong friendships were made.

The Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute provided a link from home, with the publicly available supply of overseas newspapers and magazines that could be read at leisure.

There was also a large lending library of fiction and non-fiction books that could be read on site or borrowed for short periods.

When the Marines were called to duty in October 1943, and were assembled for frontline service it was found that 15 marines had not returned a total of 27 books to the library. This included four books of an eight book set that were titled “ Modern Shop Practice’ and were a learning course for aspiring tradesmen.

Could they be returned? Mr. Batten Jnr., the secretary of the Institute thought they might, so a series of correspondence resulted, not the books being returned, but a an agreed value of ten pounds being approved by the U.S.Marines claims division.

This letter from Mr. Batten outlining the basis of the claim, states that attempts had been made to find the books, but only one had been located. Total value was fifteen pounds seventeen shillings and sixpence. 

That left ‘Modern Shop Practice ‘ volumes 1, 2, 3, 5 on the shelf, 4, 6, 7, 8 being borrowed by a Marine and not returned. The Institute was left with an incomplete set of these text books on the shelves.

Above.. Letter from U.S.Marines Claims Commission stating that, after investigation,  the books could not be located because the men concerned were all in a forward battle area. However, the claim would be considered.

Above… Letter from Mr. Batten, secretary of the Ballarat Mechanics Institute, informing Capt. David F Condon Jr. of the U.S.Navy Claims Commission, agreeing that it may be hard to get in touch with the marines, but advising that a value of ten pounds would be acceptable.

Above… Letter from Captain David F. Condon Jr., stating that the claim has been approved for payment and requesting a representative call at his office to sign a release and effectuate a settlement.

Above… Letter from Mr. Batten stating that the committee accepts your offer, and my wife, Alice Helen Batten, when in Melbourne, will call and collect the claim.

Above… Receipt No. 5672 for ten pounds from the United States Navy Disbursing Officer, as presented to mrs. Batten..

However, in a twist of fate in 2016, and unrelated to previous problems, a full set of  ‘Modern Shop Practice’, of the same edition, was donated by a local member.  It is now in the BMI Heritage collection together with the four remaining volumes.