Rose, Norman Henry (Captain, b.1912 - d.1967)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX34756 Captain Norman Henry Rose, 2/5 Australian General Hospital, Second Australian Imperial Force, the United Kingdom and Germany, 1942-1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one letter from Mr Edward Howell to Captain Rose, one letter from Mr L Hayward to Captain Rose, and two letters from Captain Rose to his parents, Leslie and Minnie Rose. These letters were written while Captain Rose was held as a prisoner of war in Germany, and shortly after his liberation. In his letter to his friend, Captain Rose, dated 11 December 1942, Mr Howell writes the he had received a postcard from Captain Rose, that he had sent a parcel of books, and that he was praying for him. In his letter to Captain Rose, dated 17 February 1944, Mr Hayward informs Captain Rose that he had been repatriated to England. He goes on to thank Captain Rose for the high quality of care he received while in hospital in Athens. In his letters to his parents, dated 30 January 1944 and 29 April 1945, Captain Rose writes about receiving mail from home, performing operations on patients while a prisoner of war, attending a concert, his liberation, being issued with clothing and supplies in England, and preparations for returning to Australia.

Captain Norman Henry Rose enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 23 April 1940. He served as a doctor with 2/5 Australian General Hospital in Palestine and Greece. As the Allies evacuated Greece in April 1941, Captain Rose remained to take care of the patients who were unable to be moved. He was subsequently captured as a prisoner of war of the Germans, and interned in various camps in Poland and Germany. While a prisoner, Captain Rose continued to provide medical care to his fellow detainees. He was liberated in April 1945, and discharged on 31 December 1945. For his outstanding courage and coolness as a prisoner of war, Captain Rose was awarded the Order of the British Empire on 21 February 1946.