Guide to the Papers of Reginald Thornton (as filmed by the AJCP)

S.S. Esperance Bay, 10 July 1928 - 9 August 1928 (File (i))

The diary records the voyage from London to Perth via Port Said and Colombo and describes in detail the social activities on the ship and the behaviour of the boys in the Big Brother party. There are also copies of reports on the voyage.

Australia, 10 August 1928 - 19 October 1928 (File (ii))

The diary records his brief visits to and impressions of Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, followed by his lengthy tours of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Thornton visited a large number of farms and small towns, particularly in the Murray Valley, Mallee and Gippsland districts; among the larger towns that he visited were Mildura, Shepparton, Albury, Wagga, Parkes, Orange, Tamworth and Newcastle. The diary describes the landscape, economic conditions, conditions on farms, the relations between farmers and boys, the progress or difficulties of boys, talks with local officials, employers and officers of the Big Brother Movement and the New Settlers League, social activities, golf, and meetings with relatives in Sydney. There are references to Sir William Campion, V. Ryan, Col. Burrett, Bankes Amery, Sir Dudley De Chair, K.F.J. Bikersteth, H. Gepp and C. Fairbairn.

S.S. Niagara, 19 October 1928 - 11 November 1928 (File (iii))

The diary records the voyage from Sydney to Victoria, British Columbia, with visits to Auckland, Fiji and Hawaii.

Canada, 11 November 1928 - 8 December 1928 (File (iv))

The diary describes Thornton's journey and his talks with Canadian politicians, officials and employers in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. There are occasional references to Australia and comparisons between Australia and Canada.

Letters of introduction for Thornton from L.S. Amery, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, to the Governor-General and State Governors, 5 July 1928 (File (ii))