Mitchell, Geoffrey Arthur Nevett (Major, b.1894 - d.1973)

Collection relating to the First World War service of Ballarat born Geoffrey Arthur Nevett Mitchell. In August 1914, he joined the 4th Victorian Light Horse (Regimental Headquarters) as 12 Corporal (Cpl) Geoffrey Mitchell, arriving in Alexandria in December 1914. In April 1915, Mitchell was gazetted into the British Army, serving with 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (7th Foot) including a period in Gallipoli where he was wounded at Suvla Bay. By February 1916, he had been seconded to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) as a Lieutenant (Lt) Kite Balloon Section. Mitchell was promoted to Captain (later Major) and took over the command of the 13 Balloon Company, 5th Balloon Wing, RFC in September 1916. Collection comprises two items. The first is a diary kept by Mitchell who hand wrote it in an Army Book during his service with the RFC. It details his movements and activities from 29 December 1916 to 27 August 1917. The second item is a small black covered notebook kept by Mitchell, and including a summary of the main highlights of his wartime service from enlistment with the Australian Imperial Force in 1914, until he arrives in Malay in 1920 where he worked on a rubber plantation until the early 1930s. Mitchell served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Second World War.

• Note book of Geoffrey Arthur Nevett Mitchell, 1914 - 1920
• Diary of Geoffrey Arthur Nevett Mitchell, 1916-1917