Edmund J. Catrow photograph album and clippings, 1945-1972 and undated

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Summary

Creator:
Catrow, Edmund J. (Edmund John), 1925-2013
Abstract:
Edmund John Catrow was a marine who served in the following units during World War II. Collection primarily comprises a photograph album, entitled "The Occupation of Japan: Nagasaki, Isahaya, Kumamoto, Sasebo," Catrow maintained during his service in the marines from 1945-1946. There are 277 black-and-white photographs, mostly 3 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches, plus five Japanese newspapers and several other clippings. Many of the photographs have handwritten captions in white ink.
Extent:
1.1 Linear Feet (11 items)
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.11521

Background

Scope and content:

Collection primarily comprises a photograph album, entitled "The Occupation of Japan: Nagasaki, Isahaya, Kumamoto, Sasebo," Edmund J. Catrow maintained during his service in the marines from 1945-1946. There are 277 black-and-white photographs, mostly 3 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches, plus five Japanese newspapers and several other clippings. Many of the photographs have handwritten captions in white ink. The photograph album begins with the embarkation of the 2nd Marine Division at Garapan Harbor in Saipan and continues with images of the convoy en route. Arriving in Nagasaki, Catrow found abandoned and destroyed Japanese ships and the skeletal remains of the Mitsubishi factory in the harbor. The photos from Nagasaki itself show the destruction of the atomic bomb, and document street scenes and some of the few remaining buildings, such as the train station. There are also several pictures of the Isahaya airfield, including a number of Japanese airplanes.

After Nagasaki, Catrow moved to Kumamoto, where he was assigned to a Military Police company. His photos include pictures of Japanese soldiers still in uniform, numerous images of post-war life in Japan and military life at the barracks and in town for the American occupation forces, and well as a number shots of military duties and activities. During this time, Catrow apparently provided photos for the local newspaper, the Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimsun; five newspapers containing his work are tipped into the rear of this album, which also contains a picture of Catrow in front of the newspaper office. A translation of one of the articles states that, "Catro-San... keeps a sharp eye on the city as he patrols on his jeep, but he casts another 'cultural eye' on what happens around him." After a weekend leave at Mt. Aso, which is documented in twelve photographs, Catrow left Kumamoto for Sasebo, where he was due to embark for the United States. The images there concentrate on the harbor and several Japanese and American vessels. The rest of the album is devoted to the voyage home to San Diego, including an organized wrestling match and the celebration of Christmas aboard the ship. Catrow's arrival in California is well documented, and the final images of the album are at Camp Pendleton, where he stayed while awaiting his discharge. Laid-in at the back of the album were newspaper clippings and one magazine clipping, dating between 1967 and 1972 and undated, on topics related to Saipan, all presumably added by Catrow. Acquired as part of the Archive of Documentary Arts.

Biographical / historical:

Edmund John Catrow was a marine who served in the following units during World War II: Second Joint Assault Signal Company, Field Signal Battalion; First Battalion, Sixth Marines; H & S Company, Sixth Marines; First Battalion, Eighth Marines; Regimental Weapons Military Police Company, Eighth Marines; Division Signal Company, Second Marine Division; and First Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division.

Acquisition information:
The Edmund J. Catrow Photograph Album and Clippings were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2017.
Processing information:

Processed by Alice Poffinberger, October 2017

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2017-0130

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Edmund J. Catrow Photograph Album and Clippings, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.