S-a-1335 — Melbourne office - operational progress & personnel
This file compiles correspondence concerning William Johnstone, Chief Shipwright and diver involved in the Niagara salvage, and administrative matters about his temporary release from naval service and extensions of leave. The file includes the Commonwealth Bank’s request to the Navy in October 1940 for Johnstone’s temporary release so his services could be used on special salvage work, and a Navy Office reply (17 January 1941) acknowledging that consideration would be given to an extension of his leave. There are letters from bank managers documenting the original arrangement that secured Johnstone’s temporary release from the Navy for the duration of the salvage assignment and confirming administrative follow‑up on his leave status. Also present are short administrative notes and copies of formal communications between the Bank and the Navy that record the bank’s requests and the Navy’s responses regarding Johnstone’s leave. The packet therefore records the exchange of formal requests and acknowledgements that arranged Johnstone’s temporary transfer from naval duty into the salvage operation and the subsequent handling of requests for leave extension.