Description of series: 222 manila folders, one per prisoner, each containing a file record form, giving A.W.C. number, name, occupation, place and date of conviction, length of sentence and date due for release; warrant of committment of W.C.C.; record of fingerprints, and personal record (age, physical appearance, marital status, next of kin, and details of offence).

Where applicable, medical records and records of any offences committed while in W.C.C. are given.

The front cover of the folder give date of death or repatriation to Japan. The folders are in alphabetical order "M" misplaced. Most of the files deal with war criminals committed to W.C.C. Rabaul, 1946-47 but a few refer to prisoners convicted at Manus 1950-51 and committed to W.C.C. Manus. The majority of those committed to Rabaul were subsequently transferred to Manus.

History Prior/Subsequent to Transfer: Most of these files were created at Rabaul W.C.C. 1946-1947 by the A.M.F. authorities. They were transferred to Manus with the Compound in March 1949, and in March 1950 handed over to the Navy when the latter assumed control of the Compound.

The few files dealing with prisoners tried at Manus were created by the Navy, and contain in addition papers sent from Sugamo Prison, Japan.

The Navy added medical records and records of behaviour while in W.C.C. to a number of files created by A.M.F.

After the closing of the compound in July 1953, they were kept at H.M.A.S. "Tarangau" until all compound records were transferred in 1958 to Navy Archives, Melbourne, where the numbers on the folders were added. Administrative information

The following data was keyed from the paper documentation:
Form number: CA 17
Creating department: Navy, Naval Officer-in-Charge, North Eastern Area, HMAS TARANGAU, War Criminals' Compound, Manus Island
Transferring department: Navy, Naval Officer-in-Charge, North Eastern Area, HMAS TARANGAU, War Criminals' Compound, Manus Island
Date of transfer: 30/01/1959
Archives file number: RWM31/25/2