Solomon Islands Labour Corps
Encyclopedia
The Solomon Islands Labour Corps (SILC) was an World War II
organization of about 3,200 native Solomon Islanders
who served in the allied war effort. The corps were stationed at all military establishments, especially the large bases at Guadalcanal
, the Russell Islands
, and Tulagi
. It was established in 1942 and functioned until 1946. Others worked in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force
.
Officially, members of the corps received one pound per month in wages, although in practice they earned more from generous Americans for souvenirs or personal services. Political ideas from Americans about self-determination and class consciousness spread, and it was former members of the SILC who began the anti-colonial Maasina Ruru
movement after the war.
The meshing of different language groups in the corps and their contact with Americans had significant impact on Pijin, the Solomon Islands pidgin.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
organization of about 3,200 native Solomon Islanders
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
who served in the allied war effort. The corps were stationed at all military establishments, especially the large bases at Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
, the Russell Islands
Russell Islands
The Russell Islands are two small islands, as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands. They are located approximately 48 km northwest from Guadalcanal. The islands are partially covered in coconut plantations, and have a copra and oil factory at...
, and Tulagi
Tulagi
Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small island in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida Island. The town of the same name on the island Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small island (5.5 km by 1 km) in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida...
. It was established in 1942 and functioned until 1946. Others worked in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force
British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force
The British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force was the British colonial military force of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate . The Solomon Islands has not had military forces since it achieved independence from Britain in 1976...
.
Officially, members of the corps received one pound per month in wages, although in practice they earned more from generous Americans for souvenirs or personal services. Political ideas from Americans about self-determination and class consciousness spread, and it was former members of the SILC who began the anti-colonial Maasina Ruru
Maasina Ruru
Maasina Ruru was an emancipation movement for self-government and self-determination during and after World War II, 1945–1950, credited with creating the movement towards independence for the Solomon Islands...
movement after the war.
The meshing of different language groups in the corps and their contact with Americans had significant impact on Pijin, the Solomon Islands pidgin.
Further reading
- Geoffrey M. White, David Gegeo, Karen Ann Watson-Gegeo, and David Akin (editors). Bikfala Faet: Olketa Solomon Aelanda Rimembarem Wol Wo Tu / The Big Death: Solomon Islanders Remember World War II.