Showing 472 items
matching prisoners of war - australia
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National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph
Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of triage at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Here Matron Maj Nell Espie watches intently as the team work on a female VietCong prisoner whilst in the right bay, a male VietCong prisoner is being worked on.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, viet cong, maj nell espie (matron), gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph
Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph taken at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. In the left bay, a female VietCong prisoner is x-rayed and in the right bay, a male VietCong prisoner is assessed. Hospital pathology technicians are in the foreground, including Steve Modrich.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, viet cong, prisoners, pathology laboratory, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war -
Jewish Museum of Australia
Diary of Alfred Broch, 10/7/1940 - 17/12/1940
This diary was handwritten by Alfred Broch over the course of four months in 1940. It was kept while Alfred Broch was travelling on the HMT Dunera and then during his detainment in the Hay internment camp.Bound with cotton and handwritten in pencil. Bound with cotton and handwritten in pencil.[selected passage translation from German, further translation available] : “Dunera” 10.VII – 6.IX.1940 First impression very depressing. Fears. Confusion with prisoners of war. Never mind. Corrected. Continuing further bad treatment. Boarding the ship assisted by rifle butts. Robbed as soon as we reached the deck. Impression of a death ship. Complete helplessness. No sleeping facilities. All sleep on the floor, on tables etc. Intended accommodation taken up by luggage cases. (barbed wire). Food good but only spoons. Next day: robbery from the cases. Own people steal. Purloined objects even include toothbrushes and toothpaste. Much to eat. Small convoy with one cruiser. In the same convoy a women’s transport which soon leaves us as it is bound for Canada and we are quite surprised. The English soldiers and officers have another side. While in the danger zone they only had a webbing belt and slippers. In case of torpedoes – expecting certain death. Bad air as all vents are closed. Other Inscriptions: Front page, upper right, underlined: "Alfred Broch" Front page, upper, underlined: "Notitz Buch" Front page, centre, underlined: "Hay 1941" Page 1, upper right: "Mittwoch 10. VII." Page 3, upper right: "10. VII. - 6. IX. 1940 Page 4, centre: "[...] ARANDORA STAR" Page 11, upper, underlined: "Von Liverpool Nach Hay / Mittwoch 10 VII" dunera, wwii, internment, jewish history & people -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed photograph, Cpl Sperry BODSWORTH
... 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random ...Photograph of Private later Corporal Sperry Bodsworth born 27/8/1909. In 1940 aged 30 years he enlisted in the Army and assigned to the 2/21 Battalion. On 13/12/1941 the Battalion was deployed from Darwin to Ambon in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, to form part of "Gull Force". The Battle of Ambon occurred between 30 January to 3 February, 1942. In April 1942 Bodsworth was listed as missing and on 1/6/1942 was reported as a Prisoner of War. Bodsworth was awarded a Mention in Despatches.The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber frame containing black and white photograph of WW2 Soldier wearing slouch hatww2, gull force, ambon, sperry bodsworth, pow -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed Tribute, Wangaratta Picture Framers, Gull Force
... prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near ...On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber frame with gold coloured inner edge containing badge and tribute on grey backgroundGull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha In memory of and tribute to the Officers and Men of "Gull Force" comprising of 2/21 Battalion and attached Units.gull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2 -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Stalag Australia, 1986
... of war. stalag australia german pows camp 13 dhurringile ww2 camp ...Stalag Australia vividly and accurately reconstructs the story of Germans and their experiences as prisoners of war.Black hard cover book, white dust cover with black and red text and a photo of the monument in Murchison POW Camp 13 on the front cover.stalag australia, german pows, camp 13, dhurringile, ww2 camp 13 -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, Fabrications, November 2016
Information about Prisoner of War and Internment Camp architecture and geography in the Pacific Carceral ArchipelagoWhite front cover with map. Pink and white spine and back coverThe Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand. In and Across the Pacificprisoner of war camps, internment camps, pacific carceral archipelago, anoma pieris, society of architectural historians, australia and new zealand -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - Book - Biography, Memoirs of My Life During World War II, 1997
Wartime memoirs of Werner Buschmann, a German Merchant Seaman, captured on the "Hohenfels" and brought to Australia for internment, later classified as a prisoner of war. Printed material in black plastic folder, comprising of 62 pages of A 4 size pages in clear plastic sleeves. mv hohenfels, german merchant seaman, ranji tiki, dhurringile pow camp, hohenfels, werner buschmann, ralf taeuber -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Murchison POW's
Murchison, Australia. 30 December 1942. Group of German prisoners of war (POWs) interned at No. 13 POW Group. Known to be are: 41707 Private Jochem Ritter, 41684 Sergeant Erich Stolleis, 41691 Sergeant Erich Raupold, 43176 Corporal Alfred Jahn, 42018 Corporal Fritz Moeser, 41261 Lance Corporal Herbert Granzer; 41926 Lance Corporal Reinhold Weider, 41186 Sgt Fritz Engelhardt, 41607 Lance Corporal Eberhard Nagel, 41096 Private Albert Birk, 41836 Private Ludwig Specht. HistoricSepia photograph of 1 man standing, 6 men sitting and 4 men sitting on the ground. The number 32 on a stand to the left of the men.jochem ritter, erich stolleis, erich raupold, alfred jahn, fritz moeser, herbert granzer, reinhold weider, fritz engelhardt, eberhard nagel, albert birk, ludwig specht, murchison pow camp, camp 13 -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
document, Prisoner of war camps
Collected from goal museum and other sources in Fremantle and PerthBlack clear fronted plastic folder with photocopied materialP.O.W and internment camps in Western Australia -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Document, Merle Reiffel, Story of Italian taken prisoner of war in Africa and sent to Tatura
Fiction based on true story. Story of Italian taken prisoner of war in Africa and sent to Tatura, Australia. He is billeted out to a farmer at Tylden, Central Victoria. Describes life on the farm. Returns to Italy after war but then returns to the Victorian farm. Marries and moves to Gilgarre. His son becomes a league football player, Adrian Batterson. Attached are two photos of people in the story.A4 folder with 8 pages. 2 photos included.italian pow, adrian batterson, billeting, farm life -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Folder, Japanese P.O.W.s Buried at Cowra, C. 2000
Names of prisoners of war and internees who died while imprisoned in the camp at Cowra. Names include those Japanese who died during the suicidal breakout from the Cowra P.O.W. Camp. on 4th. August 1944.The majority of those buried in the Cemetery were brought to, and imprisoned in Australia during WW2. Little information remains about many of these people other than their burial records.Black two ring folder with printed material in plastic sleeve. -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Kay Dreyfus, Silences and Secrets: The Australian Experience of the Weintraubs Syncopators, 2013
(From back cover): "The Weintraubs Syncopators, international musical celebrities of the 1930s, embarked on a four-year journey across Europe, Russia and the Far East in exile from the antisemitic ideologies of the German Third Reich. This band of mainly Jewish musicians arrived in Sydney, Australia, in 1937. The decision of some of them to stay brought them into conflict with the aggressively protectionist Musicians’ Union of Australia. They gained employment at a high-end Sydney nightclub but when war came, were forced to come to terms with a change in their status – from celebrities to enemy aliens. Denounced for alleged espionage activities in Russia, three were interned and the band broke up. In this major recounting of the experience of the Weintraubs Syncopators, Kay Dreyfus pieces together the complex personal, social and political forces at work in this story of migration at a time of insecurity, fear and dramatic conflict." The Tatura group of camps were built after the beginning of World War 2, and held prisoners of war (enemy military) and civilian internees (enemy nationals, regardless of political affiliation, either living in Australia or in Allied territories overseas). The Weintraubs Syncopators' members were just some of the civilians caught up in the conflict. Paperback book. Glossy black front cover, black & white photo of group of musicians. Blue & white text. Back cover glossy white, black & white photo group of men standing over bass drum labelled "Weintraubs Syncopators". 305 pages. Dewey no. 781.65092weintraub, camp 1, tatura, internment camps, civilian internees, jazz, jewish community, world war ii, musicians, stefan weintraub, horst graff -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Documents- Archives, Kuhne, 1946
Donor is daughter of a member of Australian armed forces who served during WW2, and was member of garrison at Camp 13 after the war, in 1946. Donor was researching her father's service & obtained at her expense copies of these archives held by the AWM, related to daily activities in the camp during the time that her father was posted at Murchison. Records show, amongst other things, troop (garrison) movements, routine orders, outcomes of disciplinary proceedings. Copies of archival documents obtained from AWM, specifically Australian Army war diaries / intelligence summaries pertaining to Murchison POW group (Camp 13). For periods: 1. Jan-Mar 1946; 2. April-May 1946; 3. Jun-July 1946. Printed A4 pages. 3 separately bound parts. Series number: AWM52; Control Symbol: 8/7/40. Part 1 (Jan-Mar) - 110 pages. Part 2 (April-May) - 171 pages. Part 3 (June-July) - 99 pages. camp 13, murchison, prisoner of war camps, internee camps, world war ii, garrison -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Documents- Archives, Compiled by Tatura Historical Society, Dahm's "Kormoran" Story, 01.02.2016
... ", and as a Prisoner of War in the National Australian Archives. The translator ...A German participant's account of the naval battle between the disguised German Raider HSK "Kormoran", and the Australian Light Cruiser HMAS "Sydney" off the West Australian Coast, Both vessels sank. The "Sydney" with all hands. The account follows his time in the lifeboat, his rescue, time in hospital in Perth then as Prisoner of War in Camp 13, Murchison, Vic.The author Dahm is listed as a crew member of HSK "Kormoran", and as a Prisoner of War in the National Australian Archives. The translator Barkei is a respected translator and one who has done much work for the Tatura & District Historical Society.Clear fronted plastic folder containing 95 printed pages bound with plastic strip on left side.Dahm's 'kormoran" Story Excerps from the Diary of Franz Heinrich Dahm. -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Document, Probably early 1940's
Detailing some of the ingenious methods of escape and the camouflaging of tunnelling. In January 1945, 20 officers escaped from Dhurringile and Lt Edgardo Simone , the Italian P.O,W was the outstanding escapee in Australia. Others are noted in Barbara Winter's book "Stalag Australia"Clear plastic folder, red margin on which is a white strip of paper. A red back cover. On the top right hand corner on the front clear plastic is a white self adhesive label on which is printed " Security of Prisoners of war and Internees - and escapes - Australian War Museum Archives - Canberra.As noted aboveaustralian war museum archives -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Whacko and Cobber, copy 1989 original 1943
WW2 internment camp 1, Tatura. Australian Staff Sergeant G F Evans (V14130) with two of the mascots in camp 1 - Whacko the Cockatoo and Cobber the terrier. Whacko was found by a prisoner as a fledgling, reared by one of the guards and renowned for its lurid vocabulary. Ended its days at Wallan Hotel after the War.Black and white photograph. Australian Sergeant (wearing service ribbons) with white cockatoo and terrier standing in front of Army hut, Camp 1. Photograph taken 24 June 1943.internment camps, tatura internment camps, wacka the cockatoo, cobber the terrier, staff sergeant g f evans, v14130, army camp mascots -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - Autobiography, Detained by the Enemy, 1942-1945, 1987
Personal history written by Bill Anderson of his experiences in the Australian Army in WW2. He volunteered at the age of 18 years after Japan entered the war, as an Ally to Germany and Italy, the aggressors. Taken prisoner by the Japanese and held in camps in Malaya and Singapore, enduring previously untold horrors at the hands of the Japanese captors. Written for his grandchildren to read and perhaps understand.Burgundy hard covered book with printed title in gold, containing photocopied handwritten material and printed material.Two photos and descriptions of the author, and his record of his Army Service. 1 - Bill Anderson aged 20 years and 10 months (May 1941); 2 - Bill Anderson aged 66 years and 10 months (May 1987). Service record. These items inside front cover of book.documents, reports, bill anderson, australian army, australian army personnel -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Joyce Hammond, Walls of Wire, 1990
A social history of the humane internment and POW camps set up during W.W.2 at Tatura, Rushworth, and Murchison in Central Victoria. Tatura camp was one of the largest internment camps in Australia holding approximately 12,000 - 13,000 people of multicultures from almost every country in the world.Hard cover, with Asiatic children from Tatura camp 4 enjoying a picnic at Waranga Basin. Front photo surrounded with a sketch of wire. B\W photos and sketches.Dedication to the memory of the author's husband, Alan Hammond.prisoners of war and internment camps - victoria - history -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Folio Wartimes Camps, Italian Internees and Prisoners of War, c. 2000
... during WW2. List of names of prisoners of war held in Australia ...Lists of Italian Pow's interned in Australia during WW2.List of names of prisoners of war held in Australia during WW2. Recollections "Voyage of an Alien" by Vittorio Tolaini.Black two ring folder with printed material enclosed in plastic sleeves. -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Joyce Hammond, Walls of Wire, 1990
A social history of the humane internment and POW camps set up during W.W.2 at Tatura, Rushworth, and Murchison in Central Victoria. Tatura camp was one of the largest internment camps in Australia holding approximately 12,000 - 13,000 people of multicultures from almost every country in the world.Hard cover, with Asiatic children from Tatura camp 4 enjoying a picnic at Waranga Basin. Front photo surrounded with a sketch of wire. B\W photos and sketches.Dedication to the memory of the author's husband, Alan Hammond.prisoners of war and internment camps - victoria - history -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Joyce Hammond, Walls of Wire, 1990
A social history of the humane internment and POW camps set up during W.W.2 at Tatura, Rushworth, and Murchison in Central Victoria. Tatura camp was one of the largest internment camps in Australia holding approximately 12,000 - 13,000 people of multicultures from almost every country in the world.Hard cover, with Asiatic children from Tatura camp 4 enjoying a picnic at Waranga Basin. Front photo surrounded with a sketch of wire. B\W photos and sketches.Dedication to the memory of the author's husband, Alan Hammond.prisoners of war and internment camps - victoria - history -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book - Paperback Book, The Bootmaker of Berlin
Berlin, 2010: A deathbed promise launches Kathy Giuliano on a quest for the truth about her family during World War II. Alone, she travels to Berlin in search of an enigmatic octogenarian who holds the keys to the past. The only clues to his identity and whereabouts and are a black-and-white photograph and an outdated address in Reinickendorf. England, 1938: After fleeing Nazi Germany for the safety of England, a teenage boy is captured when Churchill gives the order to 'collar the lot'. One of 2,000 prisoners on the hell-ship Dunera, he is sent to Australia. At the 'family camp', he makes footwear and forms life-long friendships. Eight years later, what does he find when he returns to Berlin? Victoria, 1943: With the Japanese at Australia's doorstep, a mother and daughter are arrested at their cane farm in far north Queensland and sent 'down south'. Their crime? Teaching the Italian language to school-children. The internment camp at Tatura changes everything. The secrets they share must be kept for the rest of their lives.Mauve and Pink cover with a painting of a large brown lace up boot. The book title is depicted on a wrought iron sign. non-fictionBerlin, 2010: A deathbed promise launches Kathy Giuliano on a quest for the truth about her family during World War II. Alone, she travels to Berlin in search of an enigmatic octogenarian who holds the keys to the past. The only clues to his identity and whereabouts and are a black-and-white photograph and an outdated address in Reinickendorf. England, 1938: After fleeing Nazi Germany for the safety of England, a teenage boy is captured when Churchill gives the order to 'collar the lot'. One of 2,000 prisoners on the hell-ship Dunera, he is sent to Australia. At the 'family camp', he makes footwear and forms life-long friendships. Eight years later, what does he find when he returns to Berlin? Victoria, 1943: With the Japanese at Australia's doorstep, a mother and daughter are arrested at their cane farm in far north Queensland and sent 'down south'. Their crime? Teaching the Italian language to school-children. The internment camp at Tatura changes everything. The secrets they share must be kept for the rest of their lives.ww2 italians, internment, tatura, queensland, debbie terranova, berlin -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, It Wasn't Really Necessary, 2003
... incarcerated n Australian Prisoner-of-War and internment camps... of history incarcerated n Australian Prisoner-of-War and internment ...Written in memory of the people who suffered everywhere in the world during the Second World War, but especially citizens of the many nations who found themselves, by a quirk of history incarcerated n Australian Prisoner-of-War and internment campsWhite light card cover, with black text. Attached at the back is an Addendum - Index - clear plastic front cover and a black plastic back cover. 609 pages plus addendum.ww2 camps, australian pow camps, australian internment camps -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Postcard, 1940's
Issued for use at camp3, Tatura. Used by internees for (Christmas) correspondence.Black and white picture postcard featuring an Australian country scene with sheep feeding in foreground. German words "Landschaft in Australien" printed t bottom left hand corner. On back at top below the words "postcard" is printed "Service of Prisoners of War Post", then Christmas and New Year Greetings in German along with other details for completing postcard.postcard, bissinger g, wied g, camp 3, tatura, ww2, documents, postcards -
City of Ballarat
Artwork, other - Public Artwork, Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial by Peter Blizzard, 2004
This memorial designed by Peter Blizzard is dedicated to more than 36,000 Australian men and women were held captive as prisoners by the enemy during the Boer War, World War 1, World War 2 and the Korean War. This memorial honours and names them, the names are etched into the black granite wall adjacent to the pathway. Water springs from beneath the 'Lest We Forget' stone then flows down the wall into the narrow watercourse in front of the first group of names and into the reflective pool, then continues past the second group of names. Finally it disappears under the pathway, returning to its source under the 'Lest We Forget' stone to start the journey again. Water symbolizes the essential nature of man, sacrifice, suffering, spirituality, healing, cleansing, birth and re-birth. The memorial is created from natural materials and is designed to be in harmony with the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and to create a sense of timeless, dignity and respect. The long pathway of the monument is designed to create a visual perspective of the large distances that Australians travelled to the various conflicts. The paving is shaped like railway sleepers in recognition of the role that railways and railway journeys were relevant to many prisoners of war. The Memorial was declared the first military memorial of national significance located outside Canberra in 2008. Dedication services are held at the memorial on the Sunday closest to 6th of February, ANZAC day and on Remembrance Day. The memorial is of historical and aesthetic importance to the people of BallaratMonument made from carved bluestone, water feature and flagsInscribed with the names of 36,000 Australian men and women were held captive as prisoners by the enemy during the Boer War, World War 1, World War 2 and the Korean War. The listing is by surname and initials and shown by war.prisoners of war, boer war, world war 1, world war 2, korean war, lest we forget, peter blizzard -
City of Ballarat
Public Artwork, Eternal Flame by Peter Blizzard, 1995
Eternal Flame was created by Ballarat sculptor Peter Blizzard as a marker of the end of WWII in the Pacific. Engraved into the bluestone shaped tile across the base of the statue is details about conflict areas where Australian Troops were active. The metal structure mimics a moving flame with it's polished golden hue, a feature included in many war memorials around the world. Peter Blizzard also designed the Prisoner of War Memorial in the South Gardens, Ballarat Botanic Gardens. The metal structure mimics the moving flame of polished golden hue that is present in war memorials around the world. Eternal flame is aesthetically and historically significant to the people of BallaratMetal construction on bluestone tile baseConflict areas for Australian Troops are engraved into bluestone shaped tile across the base of the statue. eternal flame, world war ii, conflict, peter blizzard, australian sculpture -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed Photograph, HMAS Westralia
In 1943 Westralia was converted into a Landing Ship, Infantry. In this role, Westralia had a capacity of 933 soldiers, and was used primarily to transport units of the United States Army and Marine Corps. The ship arrived at Manus on 7th April 1945 befoe reaching Morotai on the 19th. The 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion embarked for attack on Tarakan Island, Borneo. On 1 May – After preliminary bombardment by two cruisers and six destroyers ,troops of 26th Australian Infantry Brigade were landed. After the end of the war, Westralia was one of the ships at Ambon on 22 September 1945 for the surrender and occupation of the island where the 164 survivors of Gull Force prisoners had already been taken off on 10 September. She was later used for the repatriation of Australian troops, before being paid off in September 1946. The ship earned five battle honours for her wartime service: Silver frame containing black and white image of a ship at seaGold coloured plaque attached top right "HMAS Westralia" - 2/24th AUST INF BATT TARAKAN ISLAND BORNEO 1ST MAY, 1945hmas westralia, 2/24th aust inf battalion -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Plaque, Gull Force
... prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near ...Plaque present to Corporal Sperry BODSWORTH MID who served with the 2/21st Battalion and involved with the Battle of Ambon. On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber in the shape of a shield mounted with a metal a coat of arms depicting white seagull above black and orange diamond within pale blue oval shape.Gull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha Plaque - Cpl Sperry Bodsworth VX23435 MIDgull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2 -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed print
Colonel Sir Ernest Edward "Weary" Dunlop, AC, CMG, OBE (12 July 1907 – 2 July 1993) was an Australian surgeon who was renowned for his leadership while being held prisoner by the Japanese during World War II. Born 12 July 1907 Major Plains, Victoria Died 2 July 1993 (aged 85) Service/branch Australian Army Years of service 1935–1946 Rank Colonel Unit Royal Australian Army Medical Corps 2/2nd Casualty Clearing Station Commands held No.1 Allied General Hospital Battles/wars World War II Battle of Greece North African Campaign Syria-Lebanon campaign South West Pacific New Guinea Campaign South East Asia Campaign Awards Companion of the Order of Australia Knight Bachelor Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Officer of the Order of the British Empire Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John Mentioned in Despatches Black timber frame containing coloured caricature of saluting Army Officer with flag in background.Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop - Anzac Day 1993 Print No 455 of 500colonel sir ernest edward dunlop, "weary" dunlop, surgeon