Green-coloured album titled 'photographs' containing 237 prints across 50 pages. This album was ...

Green-coloured album titled 'photographs' containing 237 prints across 50 pages. This album was compiled by Janet Edwards from photographs sent home by her father, NX46355 Staff Sergeant (Ssgt) Alan Douglas Edwards, during his service with the 2/20th Battalion. The photographs cover the period 1940-41 and are mainly snapshots of Ssgt Edwards’ service, chosen seemingly for their appeal to a child. Most have been annotated on the back with messages or comments for his daughter.

Ssgt Edwards enlisted in June 1940. Prior to this, Ssgt Edwards had worked as a teacher at Wagga Wagga High School and later, as a lecturer in English and History at Armidale Teachers College. He was well regarded in both communities and contributed regularly to the local paper, writing articles on politics and the escalating situation in Europe. His brother, Kenneth Baird Edwards (NX66477) also enlisted and his sister, Dorothy, joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD).

Ssgt Edwards embarked overseas in mid-1940 but returned to Australia in December on compassionate leave after his wife, Mary, died of carcinoma of the liver. He re-joined his unit in February 1941. At this time, his daughter Janet was placed in the care of his sister and his mother Aileen.

He was declared missing in April 1942 before being confirmed as a Prisoner of War, presumably captured following the surrender of the garrison of Singapore on 15 February 1942. On 12 September 1944 Ssgt Edwards was among a group of Australian and British prisoners of war being transported to Taiwan aboard the Rakuyo Maru when it was torpedoed and sunk by the USS Sealion II. He died at sea in the South West Pacific Area on 14 September 1944.

239 Items sighted in album.