Gould, Nell (Lieutenant, b.1912 - d.?)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NF392288 Lieutenant Nell Gould, Australian Women's Army Service, Cowra.

The collection contains two copies of a typewritten account of the Cowra Breakout of August 1944 by Gould, who was C.O. of the 41 Australian Women's Army Service Barrack. The account describes the actions and sentiments of the AWAS personnel of during the mass breakout of Japanese prisoners from the 22nd Garrison Battalion POW Camp no. 12. Gould mentions that although the women of the AWAS had frequently discussed the possibility of a breakout, no training or standing orders had been provided for a such an event.

Gould further refers to the traumatic experiences of the AWAS servicewomen, many of whom are said to have witnessed the suicide of recaptured Japanese prisoners. Additionally it discusses the AWAS ambulance drivers Elva Trengrove and Esme Smyth who were attached to the 11th Camp Hospital and were tasked with the transport of wounded and killed soldiers and prisoners.

Finally, Gould discusses the rigid censorship surrounding the event, which in combination with a lack of subsequent requests for reports meant that many of the women did not speak about their experiences during the event for years thereafter. It was nearly 40 years before the women serving at Cowra would be recognised for their role in the breakout.