| Place | Asia: Timor |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | 013767 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Maker |
Parer, Damien Peter |
| Place made | Timor |
| Date made | 9 December 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
An informal group portrait of members of "Sparrow Force", 2/2 Independent Company, AIF, and ...
Description
An informal group portrait of members of "Sparrow Force", 2/2 Independent Company, AIF, and Timorese locals with a live crocodile tied to a rod. Locals had carried this crocodile twelve miles as a friendly gesture for an Australian officer. While many members of "Sparrow Force" were forced to surrender to the Japanese on 23 February 1942, these men evaded capture and with the help of the local Timorese people carried out a guerilla campaign against the Japanese in the mountainous country around Dili. By December 1942, when guerilla operations became more difficult, operations were wound down and the 2/2 Independent Company was evacuated. Identified in the front row on the left is NX48173 Private (later Acting Corporal) William Alexander Lovi and on the right is VX28767 Sergeant William (Bill) Ernest Tomasetti, both of the 2/2 Independent Company.