DOWNES, Harry Wraith - 246735, W3889, WX11159

Original items held by the Army Museum of Western Australia

Lieut Harry Wraith Downes

Conflict	World War 2
Service Arm	Citizen Military Force Australian Imperial Force
Unit	13th Field Company 2/6 Field Park Company
Service No.	246735, W3889, WX11159
Service Arm	Army
Date of Birth	31 Mar 1918
Birthplace	Boulder, WA
Residence	Perth, WA
Date of Death	23 Jul 1943
Relatives	Father - James Downes Mother - Ethel Margaret McCahon

These few pages from a diary kept by Harry Downes were returned to his family after his death. The first entry was written on 2nd May 1943 and it ends on 4th July 1943. They were kept safe and brought back to Australia by his batman, Cpl Noel Hellmrich (NX104452) at great risk to himself.

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A Court of Inquiry was held into the death of Harry Downes in the POW Camp and the findings are as follows.

Date of Inquiry - 8 January 1946
Proceedings of Court of Inquiry held at Thailand, enquiring into and reporting on disappearance and death of above member of the forces finds Lieut Downes disappeared from POW Camp Hospital, Nieke, Thailand on 23rd July 1943.
At the time was mentally unstable and not accountable for his actions.
Suffering from cerebral malaria and delerious just prior to disappearance.
Finding: Accidentally drowned. Body found on 24/7/43 by I.J.A. when body caught in bushes on edge of river at Tamaranpat. Cut free by I.J.A. Attempt to recover body unsuccessful. No blame attached to any known person.

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Attestation and casualty documents

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