Harrison, William Ross

Collection relating to VX38354 Sapper (Spr) William 'Ross' Harrison from Ultima Victoria, who served with 2/10 Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE), until he died from illness as a prisoner of war (POW) of the Japanese in Sandakan Camp 1, Borneo, on 16 March 1945. Comprises 61 original letters handwritten by Spr Harrison to his family, beginning just prior to his enlistment in July 1940, including his training in Puckapunyal and Bonegilla, time spent at sea, and service in Malaya up until he became a POW. Also included are 3 prisoner of war cards written to his mother and a 2 A5 page letter hurriedly written to his parents on Salvation Army letterhead and dated 8 February 1944, which is thought to have been written in 1942 but incorrectly dated. Also accompanying the letters written by Spr Harrison is a telegram from the Minister of Army, dated 10 October 1945, informing his father that his son had died in March, along with 22 condolence letters, cards and telegrams written to his parents after his death, including one letter from VX38343 Private (Pte) Eric Walter Holmes, 2/29 Battalion AIF. A Commemorative Scroll and several official Australian Military Forces letters from 1942, are included.