| Accession Number | P03236.127 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | c 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of Australian ex-Prisoner of War (POW) Keith Harris, a Deck Hand from SS ...
Description
Studio portrait of Australian ex-Prisoner of War (POW) Keith Harris, a Deck Hand from SS "Matunga." The SS "Matunga" was bound for Rabaul, New Britain, when the vessel was captured by the German Navy raider SMS Wolf. The Wolf escorted the Matunga north west to Offak Bay in Waigeu Island and on 26 August 1917, a fortnight after arriving there, unloaded personnel and cargo and sank the ship. The crew were interned at a German POW camp at Gustrow, Germany. Keith Harris remained there until he was repatriated to England in December 1918. He sent a cable stating "London Well - Love Xmas Greetings" to Mrs Harris, Northcliffe Street, Milsons Point, Sydney. One of a series of over 400 photographs sent by Australian POWs in German camps to Miss M. E. Chomley, Secretary, Prisoners Department, Australian-British Red Cross Society, London. Original album housed in AWM Research Centre at RC00864, Album image number 156.