| Place | Asia: Borneo, North Borneo, Sandakan |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P05848.001 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Digital file TIFF |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia: Victoria, Melbourne |
| Date made | c July 1940 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Portrait of Private R J Mitchell, 8 Australian Divisional Ammunition Sub Park, AASC
Description
Studio portrait of SX9673 Private (Pte) Ronald James Mitchell, 8th Division Ammunition Sub-Park, Australian Army Service Corps. Pte Mitchell was one of over 2000 Allied prisoners of war (POW) held in the Sandakan POW camp in north Borneo, having been transferred there from Singapore as a part of E Force. The 500 Australian and 500 British POWs who made up E Force, left Changi on 28 March 1943, on board the S S DeKlerk arriving at Berhala Island (adjacent to Sandakan Harbour) on 15 April 1943. The POWs were held there until 5 June, when they were taken by barge to Sandakan. The next day they were transferred to the 8 Mile Camp, which was about half a mile from the B Force compound. Private Mitchell, aged 29, died as a prisoner of the Japanese on 22 June 1945. A hand-made wooden box which Pte Mitchell received for first prize in a singing contest at Changi POW camp is held at the Australian War Memorial. See REL36512.