Crago, Ralph Ames (Sergeant, b.1904 - d.1990)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX32513 Sergeant Ralph Ames Crago, 2/101 General Transport Company, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia, and the Middle East, 1940-1943; 2002.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one transcript of diary of Sergeant Ralph Ames Crago. This transcription was made by Sergeant Crago’s niece, Mrs Patsy McQueen (née Crago) in 2002, from his original diary. It contains entries dated between 17 June 1940 and 28 February 1943, and covers Sergeant Crago’s training in New South Wales and service in Palestine, Syria and Egypt. In his diary entries, Sergeant Crago writes about enlistment, training, life in camp, the culture amongst the troops, recreational activities, going on leave, embarkation, life on board the ship, having onshore leave while at port, his first impressions of the Middle East, settling into his camp in Palestine, exploring the local landscape, sightseeing, his interactions with the local people, driving transport vehicles in convoys in Egypt, the difficulties of driving in the desert, being on guard duty, being ill, transporting supplies in Syria and Palestine, hearing news of the war on other fronts, and participating in training manoeuvres. He goes on to write about travelling quickly to Egypt and Libya, coming under enemy fire, serving in the Battle of El Alamein, transporting ammunition and Allied reinforcements, returning to Palestine, and travelling back to Australia. This transcript also contains copies of photographs, poetry, and short biographies of other members of the Crago family.