Thompson, Brian Napier (Air Mechanic 2nd Class, b.1896 - d.?)

Collection relating to the First World War service of 1327 Brian Napier Thompson, Australian Flying Corps, France, 1916-1919. Collection consists of a handwritten diary detailing Thompson's journey home to Australia by sea at the close of the war, and a typescript account of life in Philippeville, Belgium, dated 15 February 1919, by an unknown author.

The diary contains irregular entries dating from 5 May 1919 to mid-June 1919 and describe daily life during Thompson's repatriation journey on the ship 'Kaiser-I-Hind', including departure from their camp near Stroud, on-board entertainment such as sports and fancy dress balls, conditions and weather at sea, a stop in Colombo, and a grand welcoming at Adelaide. Pages of the diary have been sewn in out of sequence, however, they have been numbered.

The typescript account made in Belgium relates the experiences of the town of Philippeville during German occupationand after their withdrawal. It describes with some wit the boredom of the battalion, a dance held in the local hall, the features of the town such as its square and clock. The writer comments on the apparent desire of all the Australians to fight "something or somebody". He recalls an advance in Picardy, and praises the "simple faith" of the French people.