Cornell, Stanley Wanned (Private, b.1918 - d.1942)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX29014 Private Stanley Wanned Cornell, 26 Anti-Tank Battery and 2/4 Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Second Australian Imperial Force, Middle East, 1941-1942.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of 18 letters from Private Stanley Wanned Cornell to his friend, Mrs Marie “Bobbie” Olsen (née Munt), dated between 7 March 1941 and 10 May 1942. The letters were written while Private Cornell was training in Palestine, serving with 26 Anti-Tank Battery during the Siege of Tobruk, and serving with 2/4 Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Syria. In his letters, Private Cornell writes about training in Palestine, his impressions of the local area, receiving parcels from the Australian Comforts Fund, working at a variety of different tasks, moving to the Libyan desert, having a limited water supply, being shelled by enemy aircraft, dust storms, having unusual meal times, being targeted by snipers, hot weather, news of mutual friends, his utility truck being damaged by shrapnel, canteen orders, swimming at the beach, being injured by shrapnel while in his dugout, receiving an operation, recovering in hospital, seeing films at the cinema, reflections on his mental state after months of serving in the front lines, his experiences of being in a convalescent camp, having leave in Jerusalem, the long-term impacts of his hand injury, celebrating after returning to his unit, attending a motor transport school, touring Palestine by taxi while on leave, Christmas Day in camp, moving to Syria, being assigned to a new unit, doing laundry, and hoping to be home soon. He also responds to news from news from Miss Olsen’s letters to him.

Private Stanley Wanned Cornell enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 25 June 1940. He embarked for overseas service with 26 Anti-Tank Battery, and after a period of training in Palestine, served with this unit during the Siege of Tobruk. In August 1941, Private Cornell was wounded in action when a shell burst at the entrance of his dugout, leaving him with several shrapnel wounds in his right hand, knee, and head. He spent several months recovering in hospital and a convalescent camp. Private Cornell re-joined his unit in Palestine and Syria in November 1941, but was re-assigned to 2/4 Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in February 1942. In June 1942, he was transferred to 2/24 Australian Infantry Battalion and served with this unit in Egypt. On 15 July 1942, Private Cornell was killed in action during the First Battle of El Alamein. He is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.

• Wallet 1 of 1 - Letters from Stanley Wanned Cornell to his friend, Mrs Marie “Bobbie” Olsen