| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR05837 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: 1 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Regan, George Frederick |
| Place made | India, Kenya, Rhodesia |
| Date made | 1942-1943 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required. |
Regan, George Frederick (Flight Sergeant, b.1915-d.1943)
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War service of 409448 Flight Sergeant George Frederick “Ted” Regan, Royal Australian Air Force, Southern Rhodesia, Kenya, Middle East and India, 29 October 1942 - 10 July 1943.
Wallet 1 of 1 - Consists of eight letters from Regan to "Wig and Prim" [brother Keith Allan Augustus Regan and sister-in-law Gweneth Clare Regan], one letter to Harry [Lee], and a condolence letter from 413040 Sergeant Robert Hawkins Strachan to Mr. and Mrs. Regan dated 10 July 1943, the day after Regan's death during a flying mission over Burma.
Whilst based in Southern Rhodesia and Kenya for training in October 1942 through to his disposal for service in April 1943, Regan writes about his flight training and broader experiences in Africa. He describes his enjoyment of flying and seeing different parts of Africa from the air, and writes at length about the wildlife and sightseeing in Southern Rhodesia and Kenya, socialising with enlisted personnel and civilians from different countries, playing sports with enlisted men and local gentry, attending an annual football match between Kenya and Uganda, and time spent in South Africa and Uganda.
Following his posting to India, Regan writes about his new surroundings including several weeks at a transit camp in Bombay, his aversion to high humidity and widespread poverty, visiting swimming pools, restaurants and movie theatres, and moving to a comfortable billet with a friend. He also enquires about family and friends, and expresses nostalgia for his hometown of Melbourne. In a letter [first page missing] written c. April 1943 to "Harry" [presumably Harry Lee, Secretary of Essendon Football Club], Regan recalls his time in Africa, and asks about former Melbourne and Essendon teammates including the death of Keith William 'Bluey' Truscott.
In the condolence letter from Robert Hawkins Strachan to Mr. and Mrs. Regan, the author shares his sympathy and expresses sorrow over the personal loss of his best friend. He briefly outlines the the circumstances surrounding Regan's death, and writes about their training and service together, his talents as a pilot and his popularity amongst the men.