Mr Peter Alfred BROMAN (23 March 2003, aged 79
years)
After several years' war service in PNG, Peter became a cadet patrol officer in
1946 (later patrol officer) serving mainly on the New Guinea side. On his first
leave he went to the UK to follow up work he was doing on his family tree. While
doing research in Sweden, he found a cousin named Anne Marie Broman, a
descendant of the original Bromans, but about 40 times removed. After a
whirlwind courtship he and Anne were married and Peter returned to New Guinea
after settling Anne temporarily in Australia. However the Administration was not
very cooperative because he had overstayed his leave without permission and, in
the aftermath of war, married accommodation was not readily available. The
outcome was that Peter was transferred to the police force in November 1949 as
Assistant Sub Inspector and Anne was able to join him.
When the PNG Volunteer Rifles was raised in 1950, Peter was amongst the first to
enlist and in 1952 he was commissioned as lieutenant. During this period he was
appointed ADC to the Administrator in addition to his normal police duties. In
March 1956 as Sub Inspector, he left the force to take up the position of acting
Official Secretary to the Administrator where he performed his duties with elan,
skill, initiative and thoroughness. He was later confirmed in this position
which he held until 1967 when he joined the Special Branch in PNG. Later he was
retired on medical grounds and he and Anne settled in Brisbane.
His health improved to some degree and he helped Anne with the macadamia
plantation she and their son John had established. While there Anne died from a
heart condition and Peter was devastated. Over time his children and their
families became more a focal point in his life.
Peter is survived by his son John, and daughters Christina and Sonja and their
families.
Peter Harbeck and Max Hayes (Una Voce - June 2003)
