Barber, Ronald (Signalman, b.1913 - d.1993)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX31137 Signalman Ronald Barber, 2/4 Australian Infantry Battalion and 2/11 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia, the Middle East and New Guinea, 1941-1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one diary of Signalman Ronald Barber, containing entries dated between early 1941 and mid-1945, and one loose page of diary notes. This diary covers Signalman Barber’s service with 2/4 Australian Infantry Battalion in the Middle East, training in Australia, and service with 2/11 Australian Infantry Battalion in New Guinea. In his diary, Signalman Ronald Barber writes about his embarkation, life on board the ship, having leave while at port in India, arriving in the Middle East, settling into his new camp in Palestine, participating in routine training, doing guard duty, sightseeing while on leave, being drafted to A company in 2/4 Australian Infantry Battalion, becoming a stretcher bearer, travelling to Greece, interacting with Greek locals, being stationed in northern Greece, the evacuation of civilians, being under German artillery fire, retreating alongside other Allied troops, sheltering in trenches, carrying stretchers with wounded soldiers, evacuating by boat to Crete, supplementing rations with local food and drink, heavy German air raids, and the evacuation of Crete. He goes on to write about returning to Palestine, having leave, attending lectures, being ill with tonsillitis, being posted to Syria, playing music in a band, embarking for Australia, activities while at sea, weather conditions, arriving in Australia, having home leave, being AWL, travelling to the Northern Territory, setting up camp, seeing films, participating in training manoeuvres, doing route marches, driving trucks, feeling frustrated with the Army, attending concerts, Japanese air raids, the quality and quantity of food rations, receiving mail from home, learning to play the cornet, receiving a new posting, visiting his family in Sydney, travelling by train to Queensland, doing jungle training, helping with odd jobs in the local township, practicing Morse code, spending time in a rest camp, volunteering to work in a local sawmill, and receiving a transfer to 2/11 Australian Infantry Battalion as a signaller. Signaller Barber continues, writing about embarking for New Guinea, settling into his new camp, spraining his ankle, building and repairing signalling lines, seeing human remains from previous battles, working with American troops, sheltering from Japanese artillery fire, moving signalling gear closer to the front line, being on duty in the signalling office, becoming ill, being evacuated to Australia, and recovering in various hospitals. This diary also includes a nominal roll of personnel in 2/4 Australian Infantry Battalion. The loose page of diary notes contains an account of Signalman Barber’s experience of service in New Guinea in c1944-1945.