| Place | Asia: Borneo, North Borneo, Sandakan |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P02197.001 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia: Victoria |
| Date made | 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Portrait of VX54364 Signalman Douglas H. Stirling (who served under the name of Donald Matson), 8 ...
Description
Portrait of VX54364 Signalman Douglas H. Stirling (who served under the name of Donald Matson), 8 Division Signals, Australian Corps of Signals. He was one of over 2000 Allied prisoners of war (POW) held in the Sandakan POW camp in north Borneo, having been transferred there as a part of E Force. The 500 Australian and 500 British POW's who made up E Force, left Changi on 28 March 1943, on board the S.S. DeKlerk arriving at Berhala Island (adjacent to Sandakan Harbour) on 15 April 1943. The POW's were held there until 5 June, when they were taken by barge to Sandakan. The next day they were transferred to the 8 Mile Camp, which was about half a mile from the B Force compound. Signalman Stirling, aged 19, died as a prisoner of the Japanese on 15 July 1945. He was the son of Lancelot Hugh and Beatrice Stirling, of Blackburn, Vic. He is commemorated on the Labuan Memorial Panel 8.