The way it was : the story of my life through eighty years of the twentieth century and thereafter (Cleary, Maurice Patrick; NX30288, Lieutenant)

Accession Number MSS1929
Collection type Manuscript
Measurement 1 wallet: 1cm
Object type Memoir
Maker Cleary, Maurice Patrick
Date made 2008
Access Open
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

Typed and bound manuscript, 'The way it was : the story of my life through eighty years of the twentieth century and thereafter', a memoir written by Maurice Cleary.

The manuscript is an extensive autobiography about the life of Maurice Patrick Cleary. It has 12 chapters, and chapter 5 relates specifically to Cleary's experiences of the First World War and the Second World War. Cleary enlisted in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force on 12 June 1940 (Service Number NX30288), and initially joined and trained with the 2/1 Survey Regiment of the Royal Australian Artillery. In February 1941, however, he was transferred to the Medical Corps on account of his medical experience as a pharmacist. He joined the hospital ship Manunda on 12 June 1941 and served on it until 8 November 1944. On the Manunda he sailed to Egypt, Singapore and New Guinea. He was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant. The manuscript includes an extensive description of life on board the Manunda. The manuscript includes photographs.