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| Search Result for "20148" | ||||
| Lot | Description | Status | ||
20148 Click for more photos | 1942 A Highly Important Australian WWII POW Changi Document, a two page, type written speech (on recycled order book paper) delivered by the then Lieutenant-Colonel 'Black Jack' Galleghan, the appointed commander of the Allied prisoners in Changi Gaol in Singapore. Previously, Gallenghan was the commanding officer of the 2/30th Infantry Bn, AIF, having seen action in the defence of Malaya in early 1942. Initially, the Allied Prisoners of War were directed by their Japanese captors to sign an illegal document stating that they would not undertake to try & escape from captivity. The defiant Allied POW's, bar three, refused to sign. The POW were then moved into a smaller compound & had their rations greatly reduced, & placed under direct threat of execution. As their situation seemed dire & with serious illness increasing daily at an alarming rate, Lt-Col Galleghan chose to issue this order & therefore save the lives of the 15,000 Allied prisoners under his command. Feeling that he had no choice after the breakdown of negotiations with the senior Japanese Officer, Galleghan produced this epic speech. The order to sign the document was given & Australian & British lives were saved. After the War, Galleghan was to head the Australian Military Mission to Germany in 1948-49 & was instrumental in finding for many displaced persons, a new beginning & new hope in Australia. Hon Major-General Sir Frederick Gallagher 'Black Jack' Galleghan DSO, OBE, ISO, ED. Was knighted in 1969 & passed away in 1971. VGC. (P) | AVAILABLE at A$2000 | ||
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