News
Jun 11, 2011
Telegrams
My father kept seven telegrams from the war years. Collectively they tell the story of his war experiences. They provide a chronology of the critical moments in his life as a soldier of the 2/19th battalion, AIF. The original envelopes were also kept and they are reproduced as an indicator of life on the home front.
January 31st 1942
This telegram informs Francis Xavier Larkin Snr’s family that he has been reported missing.
February 3rd 1943
This telegram informs Francis Xavier Larkin Snr’s family that he is now reported as a prisoner of war.
February 4th 1943
This telegram was sent by Frank’s brother Bill to his family in Wollongong. The telegram was sent from Newcastle, NSW.
September 25th 1945
This telegram reports that Francis Xavier Larkin Snr has been reported liberated in Japan on the 13th September, 1945.
September 29th 1945
This telegram advises that Frank is now in Manila, receiving medical attention and recovering from his ordeal.
October 2nd 1945
A telegram from Frank inofrming his family that he has arrived in Manila and that he is safe and well.
October 13th 1945
A telegram from the Army to Frank’s family advising that he will be arriving at Ingleburn Army Camp on the 15th October.
Warnings to the general public on the envelopes
The front and reverse of a telegram envelope. The messages from the government to the people provide an insight into life in Australia during wartime.
Advertisements
Two advertisements from the Postmaster General that appeared on the reverse of the actual telegrams.
Jun 11, 2011
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.
Notice to recruits dated November 1st 1940
This letter informs Francis Xavier Larkin Snr he is to be present at the Drill Hall in Wollongong on November 17th, 1940 at 7:00AM. The letter contains a detailed list of preparations for Frank.
AMF correspondence dated May 6th 1944
This correspondence is concerned with a radio broadast from Singapore on April 1st, 1944. The letter informs the Larkin family of the source of the broadcast.
AMF correspondence dated March 17th 1945
This correspondence is concerned with a radio broadast from Singapore on March 8th, 1945. The Australian army seeks clarification from the Larkin family regarding details within the letter.
AMF correspondence dated October 10th 1945
This detailed letter informs the Larkin family of the procedures they should follow when they collect Frank from the military camp in Ingleburn.
Wartime message
The government of Australia always took the opportunity to inform the general public of their responsibilities during the war. This is a good example.
Stamps and envelopes
This stamp was on an envelopes that contained one of the letters detailed above. Which monarch is depicted on this stamp? Do you know the face value of the stamp?
Jun 11, 2011
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”. Their letters to Frank’s family are listed below.
Radio message dated March 8th 1945 #1
This letter was written by Mary Rourke of 4 The Boulevard, Petersham, N.S.W. Mrs. Rourke mentions that her own husband is a signaller and that he was captured in Timor and is located in No. 4 POW camp, Thailand.
Radio message dated March 8th 1945 #2
This letter is written by Frederick G. Young of 40 Bayview Road, Fivedock, Sydney, NSW. On the reverse of the message Mr Young wishes the recipient happiness and a happy reunion for all.
Radio message dated March 9th 1945
This letter is written by a Master B. Clegg of Barber Street, Gunnedah. Master Clegg recounts this message and politely asks for a reply to his letter.
Radio message [date unknown]
This letter is written by a Mrs A Lucy of 66 Wolsely Road, Point Piper, NSW. She recounts the radio message.
News article regarding radio messages March 15th 1945
This is a newspaper clipping from the Advance newspaper about each of the letters above. The article also describes Jack Larkin’s reaction to the letters. The clipping has a handwritten date of March 15th, 1945
