25 Facts About Harold Page

Harold Page rose from private to major during the First World War, and was temporary commander of the 25th Battalion on several occasions.

Harold Page subsequently joined the Commonwealth Public Service and was posted to the Territory of New Guinea, serving as government secretary from 1923 and as acting administrator on a number of occasions.

Harold Page was captured by the Japanese in 1942 and is listed among those killed in the sinking of the Montevideo Maru.

Harold Page joined the Department of Public Instruction and worked as a schoolteacher from 1904 to 1913.

Harold Page completed further studies at Sydney Teachers' College and the University of Sydney.

In 1913, Harold Page joined the Commonwealth Public Service as a clerk in the Taxation Office, stationed at Lismore.

Harold Page later worked in the electoral branch of the Department of Home Affairs.

Harold Page enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in February 1915, with the rank of private.

Harold Page was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 25th Battalion two months later.

The 25th Battalion arrived in France in March 1916, and Harold Page was promoted captain in May On 28 June, he led a successful raiding party of 70 men near Messines, during which he was wounded in the spine.

Harold Page was awarded the Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy's trenches" showing "great coolness and courage".

Harold Page spent several months recovering in England, but rejoined his unit in November 1916.

Harold Page was promoted major in July 1917 and became second-in-command of the 25th Battalion.

Harold Page was the temporary commander of the battalion on several occasions in 1918, notably at the Battle of Hamel in July.

Harold Page was wounded in the abdomen at the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin in September 1918, and spent the remaining months of the war in England.

Harold Page was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

Harold Page received his discharge in July 1919 and returned to university, graduating Bachelor of Arts the following year.

Harold Page rejoined the public service and was posted to the Territory of New Guinea, recently acquired by Australia as a League of Nations mandate.

Harold Page briefly served as chief of police and director of schools, then in 1923 was appointed government secretary.

Harold Page was an ex officio member of the territory's executive council and legislative council.

McNicoll subsequently fell ill with malaria, and Harold Page became the main conduit to the federal government.

Harold Page began evacuating women and children in December 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and in January 1942 sought permission from the Australian government to evacuate all white civilians from the territory.

Harold Page was told that "unnecessary" civilians should be evacuated, but was refused permission for any administrative officers to leave.

The Japanese invaded Rabaul on 23 January 1942, and Harold Page was taken prisoner.

Harold Page is listed among those who were aboard the unmarked prisoner of war ship Montevideo Maru when it was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine on 1 July 1942.