About this objectFramed portrait of Ethel in army uniform, with hat. Simple blue background. Framed with a wooden frame with gold trim. Brass plaque attached to bottom of portraits on the frame with "NF461980
Pte Ethel Annie PITT(HARDING)
AWAS WW2".
MakerAnne Marie Ingham
Medium and MaterialsAcrylic on canvas
Subject and Association DescriptionEthel Harding (nee Pitt) and George Harding met during World War 2; Ethel was in the Australian Women’s Army and George in the AIF’s H Heavy Battery Unit.
After “rookies” training at Ingleburn, Ethel was posted to North Head where the women stayed at the Far West Children’s Home at Manly for several weeks before being transferred to Hornby Battery at South Head where George was based. Ethel first worked in the Command Post and later worked operating search lights. The women were moved to accommodation at La Perouse Golf Club where she met up again with George who had just returned from New Guinea.
George’s unit had been based at Kanekopi, guarding the hill overlooking Milne Bay and they were also near an American Base, watching films there once a week even if it was pouring rain. On return to Australia, the unit was broken up and George joined the 24th Field Company Australian Engineers and was on the Atherton Tablelands when the war ended. Ethel was at Base1 Post Office, Sydney, near Central Railway Station, working also in the Air Mail Section before she was discharged on 4.4.1946. She and George were married on 10 May, 1947.
Dedicated to Ethel Annie Pitt (Harding)
Service: Australian Women’s Army Service
Service Number: NF461980
Date of Birth: 16 May 1923
Place of Birth: Leeton
Date of Enlistment: 15 June 1943
Rank: Private
Date of Discharge: 4 April 1946
