Historian & Explorer
John Innes
was born during the war in London and went to Australia as a small boy. All his family and it seemed all of their friends had served in the War. The exposure to all the uniforms and intensity of those days helped develop his lifelong interest in things military.

When John's work took him to Guadalcanal and he first stepped onto the tarmac of Henderson Field he was aware he was a 'goner. "At that moment I could smell the battlefields and all that history was something I could physically feel" . "You can cure Malaria but there is no cure once the history bug has bitten you, and it bit me there and then."

"Every weekend, without fail, I am out visiting battlesites and exploring the hills. Visiting veterans have been a special treat for me on Guadalcanal. Where possible I have them stay at my house. Over these several years I have made some wonderful friends who were veterans of those battles. Going to 1st Marine Division reunions in America is also something very special."

John believes that the best way to preserve the history and the sites is through tourism. He is working with veterans groups, landowners, tour operators and the Solomon Island government to develope tours of the battlefields. His web site, Battle of Guadalcanal Foundation, covers some of these activities.

His explorations on Guadalcanal have revealed some interesting items. Working with Michael Claringbould ( John is easily recognised as the better looking of the two) they discovered the wreck of a Japanese Betty bomber '377' . All the crew were killed in the July 1943 crash. Through research they managed to trace the crews relatives who were able to visit Guadalcanal and pay there respects.

US Carrier fighter pilot "Pug" Southerland's dogfight with Japanese ace Saburo Sakai on the 7th August would be the most graphically described of any dogfight in the Pacific. Working with Michael Claringbould the remains of Southerlands shot down F4-F Wildcat "Junior" (5192) was recently found.

Whilst exploring the Jungles of Guadalcanal remains of both Japanese and American have been discovered and their identities established. (unfortunately many more can't be identified)

Due to John's efforts the 7th August is now recognised by the Solomon Islands veterans as their day of remembrance and a ceremony occurs at the US memorial each 7th August. In 1997 he organised had 'the reconciliation' where US and Japanese veterans for the first time attended each others ceremonies. (A similar event will occur in 2002 on the 60th anniversary).

John is the local historian who guides all visiting historians, dignitaries, veterans and anyone who is interested over the Battlefields. In recent times John accompanied author Stephen Ambrose over the Guadalcanal battlefields in collaboration for a project Stephen hopes to complete about the Marines and Guadalcanal.