Winkle, Frederick John (Lieutenant, b.1920 - d.1976)

Diary of QX16065 Lieutenant (Lt) Frederick J Winkle, 2/6 Independent Company, written between 1 July 1942 and February 1943. Winkle writes regular, brief entries beginning from his departure from Townsville on the SS Tasman, 2 August 1942 and subsequent experiences in New Guinea, including patrolling Yule Island from 7 September 1942 and in the Kokoda region from 13 September 1942. An entry on 9 November notes that Winkle was interviewed by the press and officially recognised as the first man into Kokoda following the re-capture of Kokoda on 3 November. Overall the entries highlight the difficult terrain, the assistance provided by the locals and, often, a lack of supplies.