News
Jun 11, 2011
Letter Sep 26th 1945
Frank refers to his arrival in Manila following a journey from Japan on the US troop ship “Haskell”. Frank mentions he had initially travelled to Okinawa on a hospital ship on the 18th September. Frank writes of the B-29 food and medical supply parachute drops.
26/9/45
NX 43393
PTE F. LARKIN
D. Coy
3rd Aust, POW, Reception Group
Australia.
Dear Dad,
I’m writing you this letter from the Aust. Camp at Manila, where I arrived to-day, off the U.S.A troop-ship “Haskell”. I left Japan for Okinawa on the Hopsital boat on the 18th, where we transferred on to the troop ship. I sent you a cablegram from Wakayama near Yokohama on the 16th of the month and I hope you received it O.K.
Well, Dad, the first thing I want to do is to give you and Alice my best wishes and hope you are happier than I can wish you to be. You understand, Dad, I haven’t been recivilized very long, and I just don’t know what to say to you both.
I’ve had a few letters since Jan 42, two from yourself, two from Lucy and one from Dulcie, Ronnie, and Bill, all written before August, 1942. I’ve had no word from home since, but am hoping there are letters for me here. So, Dad, you can see everything that has taken place in the last three years is all news to me.
Please Dad have no worries about myself, as I’m now enjoying very good health, and am just about back to normal weight. About six days after the war finished, food, clothing and medical supplies were dropped from B.29’s, and I guess it’s a sight I’ll never forget. The American Red Cross people have been looking after us until our arrival here, and believe me, they couldn’t do enough for us. From what I’ve seen of the Americans they are great people & I like them very much.
I’m happy & hoping that everyone & everything is O.K. at home, and will be very glad when I receive letters from you all. I suppose Rita, Dulcie & Ronnie have some more kids since I left home, and I often wonder if Bill married the little nurse he used to write about. Gee, Pop, I’m just dying to hear from Jack & Ern & Lucy, and all the rest of the family, to know what’s happened to them all. How are the Nelson’s and the McEwan’s these days.
I suppose I could write page after page, asking questions, but I guess I’ll have to wait until I get home. When writing please send photographs, if possible. I do not know how long I will be here; anything for two weeks till six weeks so you had best write by air-mail. I’ve got everything I want, free beer, free shaves, free postage, mass every day, and anything I want. Well, Dad, my love to you & Alice, and all the family, and am counting the days when I’ll see you all again. Love from your son,
Frank.
Sep 26th 1945
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Sep 26th 1945 Back
Jun 11, 2011
Letter Jan 10th 1942
This letter was written approximately two weeks before Frank was captured by soldiers of the Japanese army. In the letter Frank mentions the family and a remittance that he had sent home.
NX 43993
Pte. F. Larkin,
H. Q. Coy, 2/19 Bn,
A. I. F. Malaya
Dear Pop,
Just a few lines to let you know I have had £16.0.0 sent home to you to-day. As regards this money, Pop, I would like you to keep it yourself for your own benefit, and use it as you wish.
I know you will probably put it away, no matter what I wish, but whatever you do, don’t bank it in my name, as I made my will out to the rest of the family, bar yourself. By sending money home as often as I can, I hope to repay some of which you did for me as a kid.
If you won’t use it for yourself, and decide to bank it, stick it in your own account. I don’t know when it will get through over home, but I should say within a month after you receive this letter card.
I hope everything is going O.K. with you and the rest of the family are quite well. How is Rita’s new nipper & what did she call him. I’m in the pink myself, no worries, etc., & still doing quite O.K.
Well, best regards, Dad, and hope to hear from you all shortly.
Love,
Frank.
Jan 10th 1942
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Jan 10th 1942 Fold
Jan 10th 1942 Back
Jun 11, 2011
APOWRA
Frank’s family received a letter from the Australian Prisoners of War Relatives’ Association regarding the transmission of a radio message by the Japanese army via Radio Singapore.
