| Accession Number | P03236.229 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Pavilion Studios |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | c December 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of Australian ex-Prisoner of War (POW) 2835 Private (Pte) Percy James Fleming, ...
Description
Studio portrait of Australian ex-Prisoner of War (POW) 2835 Private (Pte) Percy James Fleming, 15th Battalion, from Deloraine, Tasmania. Pte Fleming enlisted at the age of 37 on 5 August 1915 and embarked for overseas with the 26th Battalion, on 27 October 1915 aboard HMAT Ulysses. He was married with five children, all under the age of 16 at the time of his enlistment. After service at Gallipoli, he went on to serve on the Western Front where he received special mention in Sir Douglas Haig's Dispatch of 9 April 1917 for consistent good work and the keen interest taken in the welfare of his men. At Pozieres, France, on the night of 8/9 August 1916 in an attack on the enemy trench he had a great share in the work that resulted in the capture of 25 Germans. He was captured at Riencourt, France on 11 April 1917 and held as a POW in various camps in Germany until he escaped on 3 October 1918. After arriving in England he was awarded a Military Medal (MM) for gallant conduct and determination in escaping from captivity. He is wearing ribbons of the Queen's and King's Medals for service in the Boer War, where he was a member of the Third (First Tasmanian Imperial) Contingent. Pte Fleming arrived back in Australia on 18 April 1919. One of a series of over 400 photographs sent by Australian POWs in German camps to Miss M. E. Chomley, Secretary, Prisoners Department, Australian-British Red Cross Society, London. Original album housed in AWM Research Centre at RC00864, Album image number 275.