Australian prisoners

Thirty Australians were captured during the Korean War...

A recently released Australian ex-prisoner of war (in black clothes) is interviewed at Panmunjom. AWM P04641.082

Six were Royal Australian Air Force aircrew who survived being shot down over enemy territory. The other twenty-four were taken prisoner on the battlefield while serving with the Australian Army.

Paybook photograph, 10 August 1943, of NX173860 Private Horace Madden at the time of his enlistment in the AIF. AWM 118147

Three Australian soldiers were released on 9 February 1951, soon after having been captured. Three more were released in Operation Little Switch, the first exchange of prisoners, in April 1953. The remainder, with the exception of Private Horace W Madden, were released at the end of the war in a general exchange of prisoners of war. Madden was the only Australian to die while in captivity. For his courage while a prisoner of war he was posthumously awarded the George Cross. The citation states:

Testimonials have been provided by officers and men from many units of the Commonwealth and allied forces which showed that the heroism he displayed was outstanding. Despite repeated beatings and many other forms of ill-treatment inflicted because of his defiance to his captors, Private Madden remained cheerful and optimistic. Although deprived of food because of his behaviour, resulting in malnutrition, he was known to share his meagre supplies purchased from Koreans with other prisoners who were sick. This did not deter him and for six months, although becoming progressively weaker, he remained undaunted in his resistance. He would in no way co-operate with the enemy. This gallant soldier's outstanding heroism was an inspiration to all his fellow prisoners.

 
Korean War – Australian prisoners of war

Service number

Rank

Name

Unit

Date of capture

Date of release

4400163

Private

Glen Brown

3RAR

25 January 1953

23 April 1953

2400000

Corporal

Donald Pattison Buck

3RAR

21 January 1951

Released on cessation of hostilities

2400024

Corporal

Lawrence Edward Buckland

3RAR

21 January 1951

9 February 1951

310484

Private

Dennis Douglas Condon

1RAR

23 August 1952

Released on cessation of hostilities

1400481

Private

John Frederick Davis

3RAR

25 January 1953

23 April 1953

2401292

Private

Brian Thomas Davoren

3RAR

25 January 1953

23 April 1953

1400205

Private

Eric Donnelly

3RAR

14 January 1953

23 April 1953

033624

Wing Commander

Vance Drummond

77 Sqn

December 1951

1953

3462

Brigadier

Phillip Jamieson Greville

1RAR

23 August 1952

Released on cessation of hostilities

022139

Squadron Leader

Ronald David Guthrie

77 Sqn

August 1951

September 1953

3400024

Private

Keith Roy Gwyther

3RAR

24 April 1951

Released on cessation of hostilities

022100

Flight Lieutenant

John Thomas Hannan

77 Sqn

February 1952

September 1953

022048

Group Captain

Gordon Ronald Harvey

77 Sqn

January 1951

August 1953

2400311

Private

Thomas Henry John Hollis

3RAR

21 January 1951

Released on cessation of hostilities

2400470

Private

Alfred Jacobs

3RAR

14 August 1952

Released on cessation of hostilities

1400059

Private

Edward George Light

3RAR

21 January 1951

9 February 1951

5400033

Private

John Houston Mackay

3RAR

25 January 1951

23 April 1953

2400186

Private

Horace William Madden

3RAR

24 April 1951

Died 9 November 1951 while POW

1400542

Private

James McCulloch

3RAR

25 January 1953

Released on cessation of hostilities

1400127 18029

Lieutenant

Angus Peter McDonald

3RAR AAUK

21 January 1951

9 February 1951

3400808

Private

Vivian Edward O'Brien

3RAR

25 January 1953

Released on cessation of hostilities

24000360

Private

Robert Henry Parker

3RAR

24 April 1951

Released on cessation of hostilities

5400108

Corporal

Edward James Perks

3RAR

26 May 1953

Released on cessation of hostilities

02925

Flying Officer

Donald William Pinkstone

77 Sqn

  

35698 3400795

Private

Anthony Poole

3RAR

25 January 1953

Released on cessation of hostilities

3400629

Private

George Smith

3RAR

14 January 1953

Released on cessation of hostilities

2401248

Private

Fred Speed

2RAR

7 June 1953

Released on cessation of hostilities

1400593

Private

Colin Montague Tesch

3RAR

25 June 1953

Released on cessation of hostilities

032427

Flying Officer

Bruce Lachlan Thomson

77 Sqn

  

57013

Lieutenant Colonel

Charles Peter Yacopetti

3RAR

26 May 1953

Released on cessation of hostilities


Last updated:

Cite this page

DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs) ( ), Australian prisoners, DVA Anzac Portal, accessed 25 July 2025, https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/korean-war-1950-1953/events/prisoners-war/australian-prisoners
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