MOROTAI 1945-12-10. A PROTEST MARCH OF 1500 "HIGH POINT MEN" (LONG SERVICE MEN WHO HAD ...

Place Asia: Netherlands East Indies, Halmahera Island, Morotai Island
Accession Number 124201
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white
Physical description Black & white
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

MOROTAI 1945-12-10. A PROTEST MARCH OF 1500 "HIGH POINT MEN" (LONG SERVICE MEN WHO HAD ACCUMULATED SUFFICIENT DEMOBILISATION POINTS TO WARRANT EARLY DISCHARGE) LEFT THE GENERAL DUTIES DEPOT FOR THE AREA OCCUPIED BY THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE 1ST AUSTRALIAN BASE SUB AREA. 3000 MEN OF OTHER UNITS JOINED IN ON THE WAY. ON ARRIVAL THE MARCH LEADERS CALLED FOR AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO THEIR QUESTIONS AND COLONEL J. E. BARRETT AND COLONEL R. E. WADE THEN OUTLINED THE SHIPPING SITUATION. THEY PROMISED THAT A REPORT OF THE DAY'S ACTIVITIES WOULD BE SENT TO THE MINISTER FOR THE ARMY, ARMY HQ IN MELBOURNE AND TO THE PRESS. THE MEETING THEN BROKE UP IN AN ORDERLY MANNER. A GROUP OF THE PROTESTERS DURING THE MARCH. (PHOTOGRAPHER SSGT R. L. STEWART)