The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Pickett
- First Name:
- Harry
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX9055
- Classification:
- Signaller
- Company:
- Headquarters Company
- Enlisted:
- 25.10.1940
- Discharged:
- 20.06.1945
- DOB:
- 9.03.1916
- Place of Birth:
- Geraldton, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Harry Pickett
- Mothers's Name:
- Margaret Emily Pickett
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Butcher
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi
- Force:
- ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Tamarkan
- Camps Burma:
- Victoria Point, Tavoy, Ye, Moulmein, Thanbyuzat, Kendau, Thetkaw, Meiloe, Aunggangaung
- POW#:
- 3166
- Japan:
- Rakuyo Maru Party, Kumi No. 37 (rescued by USS Pampanito)
- Return Details 1945:
- Saipan‐Guadalcanal-Brisbane-Perth 1.11.1944
General Description
Harry Pickett enlisted from Midland i AIF 14 Oct 1940, trainer as a signaller later joined HQ Coy No. 1 Signals Company under CO Lt Curnow. Curnow was KIA 12 Feb 1942 at Hill 200, Ulu Pandan. It is very likely Pickett was also at Hill 200.
Read the story Members of 2/4th nominated for Medal but not awarded.
And the story Surviving the Sinking of the Rakuyo Maru written by Roy Cornford NX44955 of the 2/19th Battalion, courtesy of Peter Winstanley.
Read about other men of 2/4th who were rescued from Rakuyo Maru
Read of Harry’s description of his time as a POW Burma, sailing ‘Rakuyo Maru’ and rescue by USS ‘Pampanito’ from South China Sea in 1944 following the sinking of his ship.
Harry’s father Harry Pickett Snr, married Margaret Emily Gorringe at Geraldton in 1915. The following year’s Electoral Roll has Harry and Margaret residing at Geraldton, Harry is a butcher.
The family at some time after moved to live in the Swan area. Harry Jnr married about 1938 to Kathleen Newman at Swan ie. around the area where they had both grown up. Harry was accomplished pianist.
Harry Pickett died at Shoalwater on 3 July 2009 aged 83 years.
Please read further about Harry’s miraculous story of survival in the South China Sea.
From Singapore Harry was selected with the first work Force to leave Singapore. ‘A’ Force Burma comprised 3,000 POWs – Harry was with Green Force No. 3 Battalion – about 1,000 men who sailed to south west Burma firstly to Victoria Point, where they would remain working several months repairing and enlarging the aerodrome. They would make their way to the northern most point of the rail link in Burma and start work 1st October 1942 – the first Australian POWs to do so in Burma.
Please read further details of Green Force No. 3 Battalion.
Read about USS Pampanito’s visit to Fremantle 30 Dec 1944
Below: Now released, Australian Naval Secret Document Sep 1944
Born in Geraldton, Harry’s father Harry Pickett (Snr) was butcher.
Harry was one of two sons.
Below: Harry’s mother died 1937.
Below: Harry’s engagement
Harry attends 2/4th mate, Jack Oven’s wedding in 1941.
Ovens was sadly KIA Singapore 1942.
Harry’s son is born when he is POW Singapore.
Above: Harry appears to be only man – however, very comfortable!
Below: death of Kath Pickett’s mother
Swan Express (Midland Junction, WA : 1900 – 1954), Thursday 14 January 1954.
Camp Locations:
- River Valley Road Camp - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
- Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
- Kendau, Kandaw, 4 Kilo - Burma
- Meilo, 75 Kilo, 340k - Burma
- Tavoy (Dawei) - river port - Burma
- Thanbyuzayat, 415k - Burma
- Ye - Burma
- Saigon - French Indo China
- Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
- Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma
