| Accession Number | P05414.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | |
| Maker |
Adamson, Edwin G |
| Place made | Australia: Victoria, Melbourne |
| Date made | c 1940 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of VX45223 Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) William Taylor Owen DSC (Distinguished ...
Description
Studio portrait of VX45223 Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) William Taylor Owen DSC (Distinguished Service Cross), 39th Battalion, of Leongatha, Vic. He enlisted on 8 July 1940 at Caulfield. Lt Col Owen was taking part in close fighting with the Japanese on the Kokoda trail, in the most forward position at the most threatened point in Seekamp's sector, on the very lip of the plateau. He was throwing grenades when a bullet struck him. Lt Col Owen died on 29 July 1942, in Papua, aged 37 years. He was the first Australian to receive the American Distinguished Service Cross; it was gazetted on 23 November 1944.