| Accession Number | P03251.041 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | c 1940 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of NX52259 Corporal (Cpl) John Charles Harpley, 2/20th Battalion (left) and an ...
Description
Studio portrait of NX52259 Corporal (Cpl) John Charles Harpley, 2/20th Battalion (left) and an unidentified soldier. Cpl John Harpley enlisted in Paddington, NSW, on 2 July 1940 and was one of over 2000 Allied prisoners of war (POW) held in the Sandakan POW camp in north Borneo, having been transferred there from Singapore as a part of E Force. The 500 Australian and 500 British POWs 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. Corporal Harpley, aged 28, died as a prisoner of the Japanese on 20 July 1945. He was the son of Arthur John and Gladys Ivy Harpley, of Parkes, NSW. He is commemorated on the Labuan Memorial Panel 13.