The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Upon arrival at the Australian prisoner of war repatriation centre at Eastbourne, the men were provided with a meal and accommodation. After settling in, they were allowed to send a free cable home and were presented with a Red Cross parcel. The men were presented with new uniforms and pay advances and then given 14 days leave and rail passes to explore Britain. Upon their return, they awaited embarkation to Australia. In this painting, Bowen has captured a friendly gathering of ex-prisoners of war with female British Red Cross officers, the group framed by the warmth of a desk lamp and watched over benevolently by portraits of Winston Churchill and John Curtin.
Stella Bowen was an official war artist from 7 Feb 1944 to Nov 1945. Bowen dated this work 'June', but as POWs mostly returned 1945, that is most likely when this work was created.
Portrait of an Australian infantry soldier, identified by the artist in her correspondence with the Australian War Memorial as 'Pte (Name lost) Gowrie House 11/6'. Despite being one of the Memorial's
Depicts a portrait of Dr Howard (Hal) Hattam in uniform, painted while he was stationed at Gowrie House in Eastbourne, Sussex, to assist medically with the repatriation of Australian POWs. The artist,
Group portrait 539 Sergeant (sgt) Harry Fenton Stead with two friends near Eastbourne pier while recovering in Hospital. Sgt. Stead suffered a gunshot wound to his left forearm while serving in Gallip
Portrait of Captain John Albert McNulty, DX1, 2nd Australian Imperial Force. In August 1945, McNulty was appointed the Quarter Master of No. 1 AIF Reception Camp U.K. Following the liberation of priso
Melbourne, Vic. 1944-08-09. This Red Cross parcel covered with labels in many languages is one of six next-of-kin parcels packed and despatched by the Australian Red Cross Prisoner-of-War Packing Depa
Melbourne, Vic. 1944-08-09. This Red Cross parcel covered with labels in many languages is one of six next-of-kin parcels packed and despatched by the Australian Red Cross Prisoner-of-War Packing Depa
