Australian Military Forces
The letters below were sent to my father and his family by the Australian Military Forces. Franks’s recruitment letter is also included below. The original envelopes contain wartime messages for the general public.
News
Radio broadcasts
During the war years radio enthusiasts or “ham radio operators” listened in on the radio broadcasts emanating from around the globe. A number of enthusiasts from across Australia listened in on the broadcasts from the Japanese run “Radio Singapore”
Red Cross Society
The Red Cross sent a number of letters to Frank’s family. The correspondence includes references to broadcasts from Radio Singapore and the correct way to send mail to a prisoner of war.
Letter Oct 2nd 1945
Frank is looking forward to his return. He wants his homecoming kept quiet.
Letter Oct 4th 1945
Frank refers to his last days in Manila and the impending return on home on the British aircraft carrier “HMS Speaker”. Frank praises the good work of the American GIs looking after the liberated prisoners of war.
Letter Oct 1st 1945
Frank writes about his time in Manila, attending mass and benediction. He also refers to his impending repatriation to Australia on the US aircraft carrier “Leader”.
Letter Sep 28th 1945
Frank asks a number of questions about his family and praises the work of the American soldiers who looked after him and other POWs in Wakayama, near Yokohama.
Maps
Frank kept several maps that relate to his time as a prisoner of war. The map showing the location of prisoner of war camps is very interesting and contains a high level of detail.