2/5 Australian General Hospital

Pte Les Newman

NX23442

 

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Les answered the call for men, and on 31 May 1940 enlisted in the Australian Military Forces, and was attached to the newly formed 2/5 Australian General Hospital.

 

In October 1940, aboard the HMT Queen Mary, Les sailed out of Sydney Harbour bound for overseas duty.

 

 On arrival in Greece in 1941, a 1200 bed Hospital was established at Ekali, and Les realised the War had already begun.

 

On the 27 April 1941, the Hospital was overrun by the advancing German Army, and Les was one of 167 men taken as Prisoners Of War.

 

In December 1941, he was transported to Poland and remained there as a POW, until October 1943, when he was repatriated with many of his fellow inmates.

 

He remained with the Unit and was finally discharged on the 17 April 1944.

 

Acknowledgement:

This information, the photos and the memorabilia were kindly submitted by his son, John. (2005), with permission to copy and reproduce them on the 2/5 AGH Memorabilia Disk and Unit Website