About this objectFramed painting of John, in uniform and slouch hat. He is pictured walking down ship's stairs carrying his kit and gun. Sea and simple background. Framed with a wooden frame with gold outer and inner trim. Brass plaque attached to bottom of portraits on the frame with "NX142893
Pte John Harvey HILL
19 Australian Infantry Battalion AIF WW2".
MakerAnne Marie Ingham
Medium and MaterialsAcrylic on canvas
Subject and Association DescriptionThe 19th Australian Infantry Battalion was posted to Darwin in May, 1942, to prepare for an expected Japanese invasion and John Hill experienced bombing when the Battalion was undertaking exercises at an RAAF aerodrome. After training Australians and Americans in beach landings and jungle warfare near Newcastle, they moved to Port Moresby, Lae, Wau and Bulolu where their time was mostly spent on patrol. The Battalion was then taken to New Britain on Liberty ships, landing at Waitavelu Plantation in 1945. There B Echelon, unloading supplies (ammunition and food), was under attack from Japanese positions. The 70,000 Japanese army-navy force offered no resistance to Australian patrols in the last four months of the war.
The war in the Pacific ended on 15 August, 1945 and, because John was not married, he was not discharged until 30 June, 1946.
Dedicated to John Harvey Hill
Service: 19th Australian Infantry Battalion WW2
Service Number: NX142893
Date of Birth: 15 September 1921
Place of Birth: Barraba
Date of Enlistment: 1941
Date of Death: 11 September 2013
Rank: Private
Date of Discharge: 30 June 1946