| Accession Number | AWM2016.612.2 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Collection relating to NX45378 Bombardier James Richard Braithwaite, 2/15 Field Regiment
Description
Collection of photographs relating to the service of NX45378 Bombardier James Richard Braithwaite, 2/15 Field Regiment. Bombardier Braithwaite was one of only six survivors from 1100 prisoners who were forced to march from Sandakan to Ranau in Borneo. He escaped along the track near Batas, was rescued and looked after by natives, and finally reached safety aboard an American PT boat. In 1946 the Australian-British Reward Mission led by Major Jackson, as the Australian Government representative, and two journalists from the ABC, Colin Simpson and William McFarlane, travelled to North Borneo to investigate, report and reward the assistance provided to Australian and British prisoners of war (POWs) by local natives. This collection includes photographs taken of Braithwaite and the 2/15 Field Regiment in Malaya, circa 1941; 'Wanganella' hospital ship at Morotai, c July 1945; photographs taken in Sapi, North Borneo in 1946 during the Reward Mission led by Major Jackson, of villagers who aided in Braithwaite's escape; and a set of photographs, also taken in 1946, during Major Jackson's visit, of the Sandakan to Ranau track, including views of the Sandakan POW camp, and War Graves staff searching the Sandakan camp area. It also includes two colour photographs of Braithwaite and two other survivors of the Sandakan death marches, Keith Botterill and Owen Campbell, when they returned to Borneo in 1981.