Baggaley, Albert Edward (Private, b.1914 - d.2003)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of QX18001 Private Albert Edward Baggaley, 2/26 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Singapore and Australia, 1940-1946.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Contains two folders of material relating to the training and service of Private Albert Edward Baggaley, his time as a prisoner of war of the Japanese, and his return to Australia after the war.

Folder 1 of 2 consists of notebooks, correspondence and souvenir of Private Baggaley. This folder contains:
1x Notebook of Private Baggaley. This notebook was used by Private Baggaley during his training at Grovely, Queensland, 1940. It contains notes on engine mechanics, Morse code and map reading.
1x Cover of notebook of Private Baggaley, [date unknown]. This cover was used as a notepad by Private Baggaley. It contains mathematical equations, signatures and small sketches.
1x Japanese Government 100 Dollar note. This currency is signed by prisoners of war, including members of the Changi Concert Party.
1x Postcard from Private Baggaley to his mother, Mrs Agnes Anne Baggaley, [date unknown]. On this postcard, sent during his time as a Japanese prisoner of war, Private Baggaley assures his mother of his good health.
1x Letter from Private Baggaley to Miss Winnie Baggaley, 12 September 1945. In this letter, written shortly after his liberation, Private Baggaley asks for news from home and writes that he is limited in what he can write about.

Folder 2 of 2 consists of documents relating to the service of Private Baggaley and his return to Australia after the war. This folder contains:
1x Record of Service Book, 1945-1946.
1x Demobilisation Procedure Book, 1945-1946.
2x Continuation Soldier’s Pay Books, 1945-1946.
1x Returned Prisoner of War Pass, Brisbane, Queensland, issued 15 January 1946.
1x Station to Station Rail Pass, Queensland Government Railways, issued 15 January 1946.

Private Albert Edward Baggaley enlisted to the Second Australian Infantry Force on 25 July 1940. After a period of training, he was assigned to 2/26 Australian Infantry Battalion. With this unit, he embarked for service in Malaya in July 1941. In February 1942, Private Baggaley became a prisoner of war when Singapore fell to the Japanese. He was interned at Changi Prisoner of War camp until April 1943, when he was sent to work on the Burma-Thailand Railway as part of F Force. Private Baggaley was recovered from Changi in September 1945, and returned to Australia. He was discharged on 15 January 1946.