University of Oxford
Browse
1/1
2 files

A Greek Doll

Download all (515.13 kB)
online resource
posted on 2024-06-05, 18:00 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Robert Harborne served in the Medical Corps. His daughter was born 13 December 1940 and her father did not see her until the end of the war. He bought a Greek doll for her, whilst in Greece. Robert was in Crete and escaped the German invasion by boat, climbing up the side of an Australian ship by ropes and made it to Alexandria, all the while carrying the doll. Robert reportedly suffered PTSD upon returning home and didn't sleep.

Robert's brother Richard Harborne whilst in hospital in Jerusalem was visted by Robert, who happened to be wearing white. Richard regaining consciousness and viewing his brother, thought he had died and gone to heaven.

History

Item list and details

Greek Doll

Person the story/items relate to

Robert Harborne

Person who shared the story/items

Lynn Harper

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

Father

Type of submission

Shared at York Army Museum, York on 5 June 2023.

Record ID

115115 | YOR011

Usage metrics

    Their Finest Hour

    Categories

    Keywords

    Their Finest HourWorld War TwoAustraliaAustralianBritish EmpireCommonwealthEmpireEuropeEuropeanGermanGermanyGreeceGreekHealthHealthcareHospitalInvasionMedicMedicalMedical ServicesMedicineNavalNavySeaShip

    Licence

    CC BY 4.0

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC