Pat Gunther

Pat Gunther was one of the nurses to survive the sinking of the Vyner Brooke. While a prisoner, she was given basic drawing lessons by a Dutch nun who was a fellow prisoner. Gunther’s drawings record daily life in the Palembang camp and poignant images of peacetime memories. She also made drawings to sell to other prisoners to raise money for black market food purchases.

AWM ART29433
Pat Gunther
Second World War enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service
Guard box, Palembang
pencil on paper
drawn in Palembang, Sumatra, c. 1942–45
acquired in 1989
ART29433
AWM ART29445
Pat Gunther
Second World War enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service
Dutch nun at the camp hospital, Palembang
pencil on paper
drawn in Palembang, Sumatra, c. 1942–45
acquired in 1989
ART29445
AWM ART29436
Pat Gunther
Second World War enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service
Footwear, Palembang
pencil on paper
drawn in Palembang, Sumatra, c. 1942–45
acquired in 1989
ART29436
AWM ART29440
Pat Gunther
Second World War enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service
House 8, Palembang
pencil on paper
drawn in Palembang, Sumatra, c. 1942–45
acquired in 1989
ART29440
AWM ART29442
Pat Gunther
Second World War enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service
Sewing kit, Palembang
pencil on paper
drawn in Palembang, Sumatra, c. 1942–45
acquired in 1989
ART29442
AWM ART90951
Pat Gunther
Second World War enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service
Gum tree
embroidery
sewn in Palembang, Sumatra, in 1944
acquired in 1998
ART90951