HARRINGTON, William Joseph Vincent
| Service Number: | VX19882 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 May 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 7 Base Postal Unit |
| Born: | North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 25 December 1910 |
| Home Town: | North Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Arden Street State School, North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Natural Causes , Kew Victoria Australia, 17 January 1984, aged 73 years |
| Cemetery: |
Williamstown (General) Cemetery, Victoria, Australia DVA Grave Site |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 30 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX19882 | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Nov 1940: | Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, 2nd/29th Infantry Battalion, Taken on Strength of the Battalion in the field Bonegilla Victoria. | |
| 30 Jul 1941: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX19882, 2nd/29th Infantry Battalion, Embarkation from Sydney arrived Singapore 5th August 1941 as part of the 8th Division AIF Malaya Campaign. | |
| 22 Jan 1942: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX19882, 2nd/29th Infantry Battalion, Malaya/Singapore, Battle of Muar. Separated from Main Body. Evaded capture with Section ( Sergeant and 14 OR’s) via Johore, Java, US freighter, to Fremantle WA 6th March 1942. | |
| 27 Mar 1943: | Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, 7 Base Postal Unit, Initial posting to 2nd Australian Base Postal Unit St Kilda Victoria transferred to QLD LoC for overseas service in 1943. | |
| 11 May 1943: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX19882, 7 Base Postal Unit, New Guinea - Huon Peninsula / Markham and Ramu Valley /Finisterre Ranges Campaigns, Taken on Strength of Unit in LAE NG for service | |
| 20 Jul 1945: | Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Australian Army Postal Corps, Transfer to 2 Australian Base Postal Unit St Kilda Victoria for discharge | |
| 20 Sep 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX19882, 7 Base Postal Unit |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Pam Hamilton
Private 294401 W J V Harrington enlisted in the 6th Melbourne Regiment ( Militia) on 28th November 1929 till 31st January 1931.
Enlisted in the 2nd AIF in 1940.
Private VX19882 William Joseph Harrington
Sydney Morning Herald article: quote: This is the amazing true story of fifteen Australian soldiers who refused to surrender when the Japanese steamrolled down the Malayan Peninsula early in 1942. Their will to survive and evade capture would lead them on a remarkable journey back to Australia - frought with starvation, illness, adversity and great hardship.
On arrival in Australia several months later, there were few greetings, no decorations - but disbelief. They were considered deserters and given the title, 'The Malayan Harriers'.
Details of the account are detailed in the publication of the Book " Heroes Denied-Malayan Harrier Conspiracy pub Frisch 1990.