PANNELL, Harold James
| Service Number: | VX37513 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 July 1940, Royal Park, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, 18 August 1901 |
| Home Town: | Camberwell, Boroondara, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | General clerk |
| Died: | Died at sea (Montevideo Maru), South China Sea, 1 July 1942, aged 40 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" At sea, Rabaul Memorial, Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Rabaul Memorial, Rabaul Memorial, Rabaul Montevideo Maru Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 22 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Private, VX37513, 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion, Royal Park, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Corporal, VX37513, 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 17 Apr 1941: | Embarked Corporal, VX37513, 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion, HMAS Katoomba, Sydney | |
| 28 Apr 1942: | Imprisoned Prisoner of War no. 128 - captured at Warangoi River, Rabaul | |
| 1 Jul 1942: | Involvement Corporal, VX37513, 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion, Prisoners of War |
Help us honour Harold James Pannell's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Harold James PANNELL was born on 18th August, 1901 in Sydney (listed as 1903 on his war file)
His parents were Brigadier Ernest PANNELL and Fanny WHITEFIELD
Harold married in Victoria in 1929 to Winifred Mabel ARLAND - 1 child Beverley Madge PANNELL.
He enlisted in Royal Park, Victoria on 22nd July, 1940 with the 2/22nd Australian Infantry Battalion and was also a member of the 2/22 Battalion Regimental Band which was made up of members of the Salvation Army who enlisted in 1940
His battalion left Sydney on the minesweeper HMT Katoomba and disembarked at Rabaul on 3rd May, 1941 where they served as a garrison force until 23rd January, 1942 On 25th January, 1942 he was reported missing, believed prisoner of war which was confirmed on 28th April, 1942
He was presumed to have died at sea on 1st July, 1942 off Rabaul, South China Sea after the ship Montevideo Maru which was unmarked but carrying POWs was torpedoed by the U.S.
Harold is memorialized at the Rabaul War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea and the Australian War Memorial
In Memorian notice from Trove
PANNELL VX37513 - Corporal Harold - 2/22nd Battalion, Rabaul - lost at sea while POW July 1942
"Dearly loved youngest son of Mrs. Pannell and the late Brigadier Pannell"
"Sweet memories of a devoted son"
Click images to start slideshow.