Lot 5186

Description

Group of Four to a POW aboard the 'Tamahoko Maru': 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. TX 5420 M.J.Hill. All medals impressed. Extremely fine.

Together with Mother and Widows badge No.A18026, original boxes in which the medals were mailed out and six photocopy pages of research.

Markwell Jack Hill, labourer, born 16May1920 in Tunnel, Tas; Enl.26may1941 in Launceston, Tas; died 24Jun1944 by drowning; posting on death 2/40 Australian Infantry Battalion.

Private M J Hill was a POW on the 'Tamahoko Maru' when a Japanese ship was hit by a torpedo from the US submarine 'USS Tang'. The 'Tamahoko' was the closest to the torpedoed ship, was almost blown apart and began to sink. Hundreds of prisoners jumped into the sea. 560 POWs died which included 74 Tasmanians.