Duffy's Gen

Duffy’s Gen was a typewritten camp magazine published by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) stationed on Norfolk Island between 1944 and 1945 during World War II. Although it aimed to be published every three weeks, it was published somewhat irregularly over its run.

The title of the paper most likely comes from the Norfolk Island legend of Barney Duffy, a convict escapee who, according to the legend, hid in a tree for seven years and upon being found, cursed the soldiers who captured him. This is confirmed by an article in issue two titled ‘The Gen on Barney Duffy’ (29 November 1944: 8) which outlines the story. Gen is defined as an informal word for general news or information at the time.

In its first issue, Duffy’s Gen outlined that ‘Norfolk Island needs some method of recording station activities and developing a community of interest among the members of this small and isolated establishment ... It should also be of interest to the people back home and will provide a souvenir of one’s stay on the island’ (14 November 1944: 1).

Seeking contributions from members of the station, the publication was considered by issue number two a success with almost 500 copies being printed and sold within a few hours. Over its time Duffy’s Gen included adverts, coverage of various clubs such as the hobbies club and naturalist club, sports news, social notes, letters, poems, limericks and articles about the history of Norfolk Island.

While it is not clear whether the final issue from August 1945 was indeed the last, with the surrender of Japan in August of 1945 signaling the end of hostilities in the Pacific, it is possible that this was the last publication.