| Place | Europe: Greece, Crete |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | 3DRL/7974 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | 1 wallet: 1 cm |
| Object type | Diary, Document |
| Maker |
Richards, Harry |
| Date made | 1941-1943 |
| Access | Open |
| Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. | AWM315 419/086/028 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required., Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction. |
Richards, Harry (Private, DCM, 2/11th Bn)
Description
Collection relating to WX1944 Private (Pte) Harry Richards DCM, 2/11 Infantry Battalion. The main item in the collection is Pte Richards' notebook containing his handwritten diary from 1st to 9th June 1941. The diary describes the escape of Pte Richards and about 50 other servicemen from Crete, in an Invasion Barge '96' SD15 procured by Pte Richards which he named 'M.V Leaving'. Included in the diary in a nominal roll of personnel who escaped with Richards, as well as the list of names of the ten men who elected to remain on the isle of Gradavous when it was realised there would not be enough water and rations for all the men. Additional items in the collection are the original citation for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Pte Richards, as well as an original certificate from the Commonwealth of Australia 'For outstanding services rendered on behalf of the 'Fouth Liberty Loan Campaign', awarded to Richards in 1943. Added to this collection in February 2013 is a printout of the typed version of Richards' diary from the Official Records Collection AWM52, 8/3/11 (April-June 1941), available to access and print from the unit diaries published online on the Memorial's website.