| Place | Europe: Italy, Piedmont |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR05912 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: .5 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Parker, Leslie Arthur |
| Place made | Italy |
| Date made | c.1941-1943 |
| 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. |
Parker, Leslie Arthur (Private, b.1916 - d.1944)
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War service of WX14394 Private Leslie Arthur 'Les' Parker, 2/32 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Italy, c 1941-1943.
Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one postcard from Private Leslie Arthur Parker to his sister, Mrs Phyllis Bateman (née Parker). This postcard was written by Private Parker while he was a prisoner of war of the Italians, interned at Work Camp 106/XIX Salusolla. In his postcard, Private Parker gives his best wishes to his sister on the occasion of her recent marriage.
History / Summary
Private Leslie Arthur Parker enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 18 June 1941. He was posted to 2/32 Australian Infantry Battalion, and served with his unit in Egypt and Libya. Private Parker became a prisoner of war of the Italians, and was interned in several work camps in Italy. After the Italians surrendered to the Allies in 1943, Private Parker escaped with several other Australian prisoners and joined the Italian partisans. On 13 August 1944, Private Parker died of wounds received in a German bomb blast while working with the partisans. He is buried at Milan War Cemetery, Milan, Italy. On 20 September 1945, Private Parker was posthumously mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished services in the field.