Jennings, John Neville (Private, b.1919 - d.2009)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX204610 Private John Neville Jennings, 64 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Ambon, Netherlands East Indies, and Australia, 1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of two letters from Private John Neville Jennings to his parents, Mr John Jennings and Mrs Rubina Jennings. One letter, dated 5 October 1945, was written while Private Jennings was serving in Ambon, Netherlands East Indies, with 64 Australian Infantry Battalion. In this letter, Private Jennings writes about his living conditions, Japanese prisoners, being on guard duty, and receiving a parcel from home. One letter is incomplete and undated, and appears to have been written by Private Jennings while he was posted in New South Wales. In this letter, Private Jennings writes about working in the officers’ mess and his hope to visit home.

Private John Neville Jennings first enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force on 28 August 1942, after previously serving in the Militia. After a period of training, Private Jennings was called to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He trained as an aircrew gunner in Australia and Canada, but was voluntary discharged from the RAAF in September 1944 to re-join the Army. Private Jennings went on to serve with 64 Australian Infantry Battalion in Australia, New Guinea and the Netherlands East Indies. He was discharged on 14 January 1946.