Fearn, William Alfred (Private, b.1917 - d.1976)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX6365 Private William Alfred “Bill” Fearn, Australian Army Service Corps and 9 Division Headquarters, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Libya and Palestine,1937- c.1951.

This collection consists of three wallets relating to the Second World War service of Private William Alfred Fearn.

Wallet 1 of 3 - Contains two folders of correspondence relating to Private Fearn, dated between 1937 and 1940.

Wallet 1 of 3, Folder 1 of 2 consists of two letters from Private Fearn to his sweetheart [later, his wife], Miss Valerie Mary Teresa Quinlan, from the Royal Australian Air Force base at Richmond, New South Wales. In his first letter, dated 22 February 1937 Private Fearn tells Valerie of his love and shares his intentions to marry her. In his second letter, dated 8 March 1937, Private Fearn writes about going back to base after a night out, and the day that followed.

Wallet 1 of 3, Folder 2 of 2 consists of 23 letters from Private Fearn to his wife, Mrs Valerie Fearn, written in c. 1940. They cover the period of his embarkation and service in the United Kingdom. In his letters, Private Fearn writes about embarkation, life on board the ship, being in the ship’s hospital, his impressions of Cape Town, South Africa, a scare by a submarine, arriving in the United Kingdom, air raids, route marches, censorship, sending souvenirs home, the weather, missing his wife, sightseeing in the United Kingdom, being in hospital, worrying about his wife’s health, taming a hedgehog, awaiting a court martial, poaching rabbits, being classed as medically unfit for service on the front line, and his joy at becoming a father. Of special note is a message written on a cigarette packet, which Private Fearn threw from his transport ship as it was embarking from Sydney.

Wallet 2 of 3 – Contains three folders of correspondence relating to Private Fearn, dated between 1941 and 1942.

Wallet 2 of 3, Folder 1 of 3 consists of one telegram and 23 letters from Private Fearn to Mrs Valerie Fearn, written in c. 1941. It covers the period of his embarkation to the Middle East, and service in Egypt and Libya. In his letters, Private Fearn writes about leave in London, embarkation for service in the Middle East, feeling homesick, being in hospital on the ship, medical treatments, air raids at sea, disembarking in Egypt, frustrations with a lack of mail, sand storms, financial matters, losing his personal belongings while retreating from Benghazi, Libya, the unknown fates of friends, receiving letters and parcels, hoping to transfer to the Royal Australian Air Force, capturing prisoners of war while on a patrol, air raids, showing everyone photographs of his baby son, being in hospital with an infected wound, and looking forward to being home.

Wallet 2 of 3, Folder 2 of 3 consists of 13 letters from Private Fearn to Mrs Valerie Fearn, written in c. 1942. It covers the period of his attachment to the Australian Red Cross Society in the Middle East. In his letters, Private Fearn writes about going to Jerusalem on leave, being on guard duty for an important water supply, buying gifts, good living conditions, enjoying his work, news of the war, being called upon to serve again at Tobruk, learning languages, spectating a large football game, the falling-out and repair of a friendship, and missing his wife and son.

Wallet 2 of 3, Folder 3 of 3 consists of four letters from William Alfred Fearn to his wife, Mrs Valerie Fearn, written in the 1950s. These letters relate to Fearn’s post-war life and ongoing health issues.

Wallet 3 of 3 - Contains two folders of material relating to Private Fearn.

Wallet 3 of 3, Folder 1 of 2 consists of 24 envelopes associated with letters from Private Fearn to Mrs Valerie Fearn, sent between 1940 and 1943.

Wallet 3 of 3, Folder 2 of 2 consists of ten letters to Private Fearn, written by family and friends. In their letters, Fearn’s family and friends share details of lives in Australia and service abroad.
This file contains:
1x Letter from Private Fearn’s mother, Mrs Ruby Fearn, to Private Fearn, 10 September 1940
1x Letter from Private Fearn’s wife, Mrs Valerie Fearn , to Private Fearn, Riverstone, New South Wales, 3 November 1940
1x Letter from “Alfred” [identity unknown], to Private Fearn, London, United Kingdom, 23 December 1940
1x Letter from Mrs Ruby Fearn to Private Fearn, Mortdale, New South Wales, 21 August 1940
1x Incomplete letter from Mrs Ruby Fearn to Private Fearn, [date unknown]
3x Letters from Mrs Valerie Fearn to Private Fearn, Riverstone, New South Wales, 29 January-9 February 1943
1x Letter from Private Fearn’s sister, Maureen, Riverstone, New South Wales, 15 January [unknown year]
1x Letter from NX21115 Private William Henry Granger to Private Fearn, Papua, [date unknown]