| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/13591 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Calico, Tin |
| Location | Main Bld: World War 2 Gallery: Gallery 3: Aust 43-44 |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Malaya |
| Date made | 1941 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Christmas parcel : Private J M Filcock, 2/9 Field Ambulance
Description
Rectangular tin (empty) wrapped in calico and addressed in black ink: 'A. SOLDIERS PARCEL/ MISS MARGARET FILCOCK/ 14 JAMES STREET/ BALLARAT/ VICTORIA/ AUSTRALIA/ FROM/ PTE J FILCOCK/ 2/9 FIELD AMB/ A.I.F./ MALAYA'. Written on the front facing long side is: A. MERRY XMAS/ 14/10/41'. Adhered to the back is a paper customs declarations stating the contents to be 'small souvenirs (trinkets, and giving the name and address of the sender. The wrapping is sewn together with khaki thread.
History / Summary
This parcel was sent by thirty year old VX31746 Private John Michael Filcock to his sister, Margaret, as a Christmas present in 1941. He was then stationed in Malaya, serving with 2/9th Field Ambulance. Filcock was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Singapore in February 1942 and made a prisoner of war. He worked on the Burma-Thailand railway, and was still in Thailand when the war ended in 1945. He was discharged from the army in January 1946.