| Accession Number | PR04571 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: 1 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
French, Vivian Albert |
| Place made | Vietnam |
| Date made | 1969 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| 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. |
French, Vivian Albert (b.1949 - d.1969)
Description
Collection relating to the Vietnam War service of Trooper Vivian Albert French, Vietnam, 1969.
Wallet 1 of 1 - Collection consists of five original letters and one photocopy of a letter written from Trooper French to his sister Gayna from March 1969 until his death in December 1969.
First letter dated 1 March 1969 to update his sister, Gayna, after his first two weeks in Vietnam. It mentions the jungle, booby traps, homesickness, receiving letters and parcels, his luck with ladies, and hygiene problems [includes empty envelope].
Letter dated 31 August 1969 regarding his return to Vietnam. He writes about American money, going on patrol, and the weather [includes empty envelope].
Letter dated 26 September 1969 he writes about camp life, patrol watch, fighting the Viet Cong, equipment, and coming home [includes empty envelope].
Letter dated 13 October 1969 he writes about upcoming rest in country leave, Viet Cong and ‘chasing Charlie’, fruit cake, and Christmas [includes empty envelope].
Letter dated 5 November 1969 he writes ‘from the deepest jungle in South Vietnam’. The letter includes past and upcoming operations, the death of his friend Albert Lesley Casey, shopping for a hammock, and relationships with ladies in Australia and Vietnam [includes empty envelope].
Letter (photocopy) dated 7 December 1969 was written the day before French was killed in action and was received by his sister a few days after she was informed about his death. In the letter he he writes about being on operation and his plans to go drinking the next night. He writes about receiving a Christmas hamper and a letter from his little brother.