Truran, Basil Claude (Private, b.1897 - d.1973)

Accession Number PR03355
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement 1 wallet: 1cm.
Object type Letter, Postcard
Maker Truran, Basil Claude
Place made New Guinea
Date made 1941-1944
Access Open
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
First World War, 1914-1918
Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

Collection relating to the Second World War service of WX9969 Private Basil Claude Truran. Truran also served in the First World War. In both wars he was a signaller. In the second war, at 47 years, he served with the 9th Australian Division, in North Africa and New Guinea, 1941-1944. The collection consists of 13 handwritten letters, written by Truran to his youngest sister Valda and her husband Ted Ellwood (Truran had five sisters and four brothers). The letters date from 1941, from the time Truran was at the pre-embarkation camp at Claremont showgrounds, WA. The final letter is dated 23 July 1944. Truran wrote regularly to Valda and Ted throughout his service, describing conditions and routine activities as a signaller. His letter dated 10 November 1943 reads: ‘… Whatever can be said against jungle life, at least colds and flu are unknown among us. Just had to stop to whack at a mossie which impudently alighted on my writing hand. Not optimistic about army removing those over forty from active service, not in this unit. Apparently sigs can't be replaced, they’re not bred anymore…’.

The collection also includes two postcards from the First World War. Basil served with three of his brothers in the first war, Herbert, William and Victor. One of the postcards is of the North Fremantle War Memorial in Western Australia, where the four Truran brothers enlisted. The other postcard shows the Rue d’Ypres un jour de Marche, and is inscribed overleaf ‘Dear Valda, France, 28th June 1916, Your Loving Brother, Will xxxxx’.

For ease of reading, transcriptions of the letters are housed with the originals.