Cornish, Keith Stanton (Private, b.1916 - d.2007)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of S36257 Private Keith Stanton Cornish, 110 Casualty Clearing Station, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia and New Guinea, 1942-1943.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of two diaries of Private Keith Stanton Cornish.

The first diary contains brief entries dated between 1 January and 25 December 1942. This diary covers the period of Private Cornish’s training and service in South Australia, his embarkation, and his service in Milne Bay, New Guinea. In this diary, Private Cornish writes about visiting friends and family members, seeing films, working in various Adelaide hospitals, learning typing, doing home maintenance while on leave, recreational activities, attending church, travelling to Queensland, and embarking for service in New Guinea. He goes on to write about settling into his camp at Milne Bay, caring for seriously ill and wounded soldiers, assisting with operations, Japanese air raids and naval barrages, hearing news of Japanese movements, feeling distressed and exhausted, receiving mail from home, and Christmas celebrations. This diary also contains names and addresses of acquaintances, various notes, newspaper clippings, and a photograph.

The second diary contains entries dated between 1 January and 31 December 1943. This diary covers the period of Private Cornish’s service in Milne Bay, New Guinea, his service on a Sea Ambulance Transport, and his return to Australia. In his diary, Private Cornish writes about attending Bible studies and church services, going AWL to sightsee, seeing films, looking after patients, Japanese air raids, serving briefly on a Sea Ambulance Transport, visiting his family in Adelaide, having leave, returning to New Guinea, working in the wards, being on night duty, attending lectures, feeling depressed, writing to friends and family, emplaning to Queensland, returning home to Adelaide, and preparing for his discharge. This diary also contains names and addresses of acquaintances and various notes.

Private Keith Stanton Cornish enlisted to the Australian Military Forces on 23 September 1940. He volunteered to serve in a non-combatant unit, and was assigned to 110 Casualty Clearing Station. Private Cornish trained in South Australia and Queensland. He went on to serve with his unit in Milne Bay, New Guinea, between August 1942 and October 1943. Private Cornish was discharged on 17 January 1944.