About this objectFramed portrait of George in army uniform, with slouch hat. Simple mauve background. Framed with a wooden frame. Brass plaque attached to bottom of portraits on the frame with "NX103472
Pte George Oliver HARDING
H Heavy Battery Unit AIF 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 George Oliver Harding
Service: H Heavy Battery Unit AIF WW2
Service Number: NX103472
Date of Birth: 27 August 1922
Place of Birth: Wedderburn Victoria
Date of Enlistment: 28 January 1942
Location of Enlistment: Hillston
Rank: Private
Posting on Discharge: 30 May 1946
