Talk:Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion

Racist / Racial

I changed "racist policies" to "racial policies" as I think it is more NPOV. I think there is little doubt that the policies were indeed racIST, but it's an emotive word which I think does not quite suit the encyclopedic tone. RacIAL seems better.

If anyone disagrees, feel free to comment or change it back. GeraldH 12:27, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

B-Class Review

The only thing I noted was the claim that the battalion was the "only indigenous" one formed - this (IMHO) needs a citation. I can't address B2, don't know enough about it. (GregJackP (talk) 20:02, 18 February 2010 (UTC))

Yes, that's definately a fair call. I think it has been dealt with now, with the addition of that info in the body with a citation. Cheers. — AustralianRupert (talk) 23:19, 18 February 2010 (UTC)

Howdy, I have added a bit more and cite which should take care of this now (hopefully). Anotherclown (talk) 23:32, 18 February 2010 (UTC)

Both the PIB and NGIB were battalions of the Australian Army in the Second World War with the PIR serving until 1975. Graham MacKenzie Smith's Australia's Forgotten Army Volume 2 and Reg Ball's Torres Strait Force 1942-1945 are good reference material. Anthony Staunton (talk) 08:54, 5 March 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for those comments, Anthony. Indeed, you are correct about the PIB and NGIB being part of the Australian Army, but racially they were made up of men that are not considered to be "Indigenous Australians" (generally considered to be Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, I believe), being made up of Papuans and New Guineans, and hence the distinction in this regard. I've looked at Ball's work and have added a reference to it in the article, although it could probably do with a bit of expansion (although I'd be a bit concerned about unbalancing the article). I haven't got MacKenzie's work, but will have a hunt around and see if it is at any of the local libraries. Cheers. — AustralianRupert (talk) 09:10, 5 March 2010 (UTC)