Parcel packaging : Private A R Croxson, 2/18 Battalion AIF

A hand-sewn calico soldier's gift parcel covering. The covering has been opened at two sides while the third remains sewn shut. On top of the covering the parcel has been hand addressed in black ink to: 'Miss A. HEMMINGS. C/O TRELOAR AND COY. PEEL STREET. TAMWORTH. N.S. WALES. AUSTRALIA.' Underneath and to the left of this is the senders details also handwritten in black ink: 'FROM: NX40623 PTE A.R.CROXSON. 'A' COY. 2/18 BN. A.I.F. MALAYA.' In the top right hand corner are attached four purple 10c Malayan stamps although the discolouration of the parcel indicates that there were originally twelve stamps attached.

On the reverse of the parcel the recipient's address is again handwritten in black above a brown paper Malayan Parcel Post Customs Declaration Form completed by Private Croxson. The parcel originally contained silk pyjamas and a pair of beaded shoes.

Associated with the service of NX40623 Private Albert Ross Croxson. Croxson was born in Tamworth NSW on 29 May 1918 and was a reporter on enlistment in the 2/18th Battalion on 27 June 1940. Following training at Wallgrove and Ingleburn, Croxson relocated with his unit to Bathurst on 6 November.

Embarking from Sydney on 4 February 1941, Croxson disembarked in Singapore on 18 February. He moved with his unit to Port Dickson in Malaya for training for service under tropical conditions before moving to Seremban in central Malaya in March.

In late August the 2/18th moved to Jemaluang on the east coast then to Mersing in September. They remained in Mersing for several months preparing defensive positions. However on 17 January 1942 they received orders to abandon these positions and withdraw to Jemaluang further south.

In the early hours of 27 January the 2/18th launched an ambush against the Japanese at Nithsdale Estate in what was to be the unit's first major action against the Imperial Army. It took the Japanese completely by surprise and inflicted heavy casualties.

After the Nithsdale ambush the 2/18th withdrew to Singapore. It was allocated a position in the centre of the 22nd Brigade's sector on the island's east coast but the wide frontage it was required to cover meant its platoons and sections had to be widely dispersed. On the night of 8 February the Japanese launched their invasion of Singapore Island.

Croxson was killed as the Japanese infiltrated between the 2/18th's posts and the battled degenerated into vicious scattered engagements in the dark. Like most Australian units involved, the 2/18th fell into a desperate retreat that ended with surrender on the outskirts of Singapore city on the night of 15 February. Taken prisoner by the Japanese, the surviving members of the 2/18th were liberated in late August 1945 and began to return to Australia soon after.