McIllree, Claude (Private, b.1904 - d.1959)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX12759 Private Claude McIllree, 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Middle East, 1941.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of five letters from Private Claude McIllree to his mother, Mrs Ada Daisy McIllree, dated 15-30 May 1941. Private McIllree’s letters describe, in detail, his experience of serving in the Greek Campaign with 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion, and his evacuation from Greece in April 1941. In his letters, Private McIllree writes about being targeted by enemy aircraft while traveling in a convoy, an occasion in which an enemy bomb fell on a nearby explosive dump, transporting ammunition, sheltering from air raids in slit trenches, guarding a mountain pass, appreciating the beauty of the Greek countryside, being part of the rear guard, hiking through the Greek mountains, retreating from the advancing German forces, decrease of air force support, destroying equipment, being fed by local people, waiting for their evacuation ship, admiration for navy personnel, sheltering on hillsides, boarding a destroyer to evacuate Greece, sharing rations with New Zealander and English soldiers, reflecting on his frightening experiences of the Greek campaign, landing in Palestine, sightseeing in Jerusalem, hearing of German paratroopers landing on Greece, appreciation for his tin hat, birdwatching, being mess orderly, and his battalion still having lots to learn.

Claude McIllree enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 18 April 1940. He was assigned to 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion as a private, and embarked from Australia in November 1940. While on leave in Durban, South Africa, Private McIllree accidently broke his lower left leg. He spent several months recovering, and re-joined 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion in the Middle East in March 1941. The following month, Private McIllree served in Greece with his unit, but evacuated alongside the remainder of the Allied forces several weeks later. In March 1942, McIllree returned to Australia. He transferred to 116 Australian General Transport Company, but spent several periods of time in hospital with illness. Upon his discharge on 8 November 1943, McIllree was a signaller with 3 Australian Advanced Workshop.