Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harold John Warren was the youngest of five brothers who served Australia, three of whom lost their lives. Two of his older brothers died during WW1, one at Gallipoli and the other at Fromelles. Harold himself was 42 years of age when he died, and his own son, VX50192 Private Stanley Gordon Warren 2/21st Battalion died of illness aged 25, as a prisoner of war at Ambon on 9 July 1945, only a few months after his father perished.

Harold’s older brother 271 Pte Stanley Gordon Warren, 7th Battalion AIF, was killed in action in the Battle of Krithia, at Helles, Gallipoli, 8 May 1915, aged 18.

Another older brother 3959 Pte Robert Clyde Warren 60th Battalion AIF, died of wounds inflicted during the Fromelles battle on the 24 July 1916.

Another brother, 2692 Pte. Ormond Warren 6th Battalion AIF was returned to Australia 13 December 1915, having accidently shot himself through the knee whilst cleaning an officer’s revolver on board the troopship on its way to Egypt.

The fourth brother to enlist during WW1, 7584 Private Herbert Peter Warren 5th Battalion AIF, joined up at 17 years of age in 1917 and suffered gunshot wounds in France on 10 August 1918. He was returned to Australia medically unfit 21 December 1918.

Harold John Warren was one of over 2000 Allied prisoners of war (POW) held in the Sandakan POW camp in north Borneo, having been transferred there from Singapore as a part of B Force. The 1494 POW's that made up B Force, were transported from Changi to Sandakan during July 1942. Sapper Warren, aged 42, died as a prisoner of the Japanese on 22 March 1945. He was the husband of Minnie Warren, of Warrnambool, Victoria.

As well as his eldest son who died on Ambon Island in 1945, Harold John Warren was the father to four other children.