Buerckner, Edward 'Ted' Francis (Private, b.1913 - d.1976)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX23638 Private Edward 'Ted' Buerckner, 2/2 Pioneer Battalion, Japanese-occupied territory and Australia, c.1940-1944.

In 1942 after fighting in the Middle East, 2/2 Pioneer Battalion were on their way back to Australia when they were diverted to Java to take a stand against the Japanese. Following their forced surrender, Buerckner and most of the battalion spent much of the rest of the war as prisoners, working on the Thai-Burma Railway. In 1944, Buerckner was being transported to Japan aboard the Rakuyo Maru when it was sunk by the USS Sealion submarine. After several days of floating in the South China Sea the USS Sealion eventually picked him up and transported him to Brisbane for recuperation.

Collection consists of:
- 1 x Prisoner of war postcard sent by VX23638 Private Edward 'Ted' Buerckner to his mother, while a Japanese prisoner of war stating that he is well;
- 1 x Prayer book given to Buerckner by his mother just prior to his embarkation in 1940;
- 1 x Pack of playing cards given to Buerckner while aboard the USS Sealion in 1944; and
- 1 x Illustrated New Testament presented to Buerckner while aboard the USS Sealion.

• Buerckner, Edward 'Ted' Francis (Private, b.1913 - d.1976) - US Army new testament
• Buerckner, Edward 'Ted' Francis (Private, b.1913 - d.1976) - Playing cards