| Place | Asia: Malaysia, Labuan |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART23237 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall: 37.9 x 41.2 cm |
| Object type | Work on paper |
| Physical description | pen and brush and brown ink on paper |
| Maker |
Friend, Donald |
| Place made | Malaysia: Labuan |
| Date made | 1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Pioneer patrol passing through a native village at Tanjongg, Rancharancha, Labuan
Description
Depict a group of unidentified Australian Pioneer Unit on patrol in native village, Labuan. The Australian Pioneer Unit was part of the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion. In 1942, Donald Friend enlisting with the AIF, was posted as a gunner to the artillery unit near Albury. In 1945, Friend was selected for appointment as official war artist. He travelled to Morotai, Labuan and Balikpapan, recording sights which confronted him and drawing in particular on the expressive potential of human form. Friend was extraordinarily prolific, producing 53 paintings and 143 drawings for the Memorial.
On 10 July 1945 Friend noted in his Diary; 'The most delightful day I've had on Labuan. One Capt. Gibbon asked me at breakfast if I'd like a trip over to Tanjung Hamilton [Tanjongg] in a duck...ashore, a hundred yards or so inland, the battery had its tents and thatched palm shelters and fantastic machines. A lovely location. Just over the brow of the hill a very complete little fishing village lay among the palms at the water's edge'.