| Accession Number | P08732.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Colour - Print hand-coloured black & white |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia: Tasmania |
| Date made | c 1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of TX4803 Private (Pte) Eric Alfred Smith, 2/40 Battalion, of Woodbridge, Tas, ...
Description
Studio portrait of TX4803 Private (Pte) Eric Alfred Smith, 2/40 Battalion, of Woodbridge, Tas, who enlisted on 29 May 1941. The 2/40 Battalion served in Timor as part of Sparrow Force, and many members were taken prisoner following the Japanese invasion in February 1942. On 24 June 1944 Pte Smith was amongst 772 prisoners of war being transported to Nagasaki, Japan, aboard the Tamahoko Maru when it was sunk by the submarine USS Tang. 560 died including 195 Australians. Written on the back of the frame: ".....3rd child of Alfred Edward and Joanna Kathleen Smith. Brother of Dulcie, Arthur, Len and Mervyn. This frame cost 7 pounds which was Mum's total endowment at the time..... 21 years of age when he died, 19 years when this photograph was taken. Nanna was deeply distressed at his death and her health deteriorated from that point."