Warfe, John Edward (Captain, b.1906 - d.1987)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX25119 Captain John Edward Warfe, Chaplain, attached 2/4 Field Regiment, Second Australian Imperial Force, at sea and the Middle East, 1940-1941.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of five letters from Captain John Edward Warfe to the 2/4th Field Regiment Association, dated between c October 1940 and c October 1941. These letters were written while Captain Warfe was serving as the Chaplain of 2/4 Field Regiment, and were intended to be included in the 2/4th Field Regiment Association’s newsletters. In his letters, Captain Warfe writes about the unit’s embarkation, living conditions on board the ship, on-shore leave, recreational activities, a ‘crossing the line’ ceremony, blackouts on the ship while travelling, landing in the Middle East, buying supplementary food from canteens, travelling by train to their camp, their impressions of the local landscape, being on leave, embarking for service in Egypt, daily routines, seeing concerts put on by the troops, life in Egypt, working in the Quartermaster’s Store, the quality and quantity of food rations, the health and hygiene of the unit, receiving letters and parcels from home, seeing war destruction in nearby towns, bring tea to the Australian troops, and troop morale. Captain Warfe goes on to write about serving in Syria, censoring letters, fighting the Vichy French forces, being subject to enemy artillery fire, the cessation of hostilities in Syria, sicknesses in the unit, recovering from illness in hospital, losing all of his personal effects by theft and fire, and recreational sporting events. Captain Warfe’s final letter is accompanied by a note by Ms Wynne Milford, President of the 2/4th Field Regiment Association, dated 6 October 1941. This note gives an update on Captain Warfe’s health, as well as news relating to events in the Association.