| Place | Asia: Netherlands East Indies, Halmahera Island, Morotai Island |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | 124204 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
MOROTAI 1945-12-10. A PROTEST MARCH OF 1500 "HIGH POINT MEN" (LONG SERVICE MEN WHO HAD ...
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. SEVERAL BANNERS CARRIED AT THE HEAD OF THE MARCH PROCLAIMED THE MEN'S SENTIMENTS. MESSAGES INCLUDED "WE WANT SHIPS NOT ASSURANCES", "WHERE IS OUR SHIPPING ?", "GET US HOME FOR XMAS", AND "CARRY OUT MR FORDE'S PROMISE". (PHOTOGRAPHER SSGT R. L. STEWART)