Baggott, Leo (Sergeant, b.1901 - d.1993)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX59998 Sergeant Leo Baggott, 9 Division Australian Army Supply Column and Australian Army Pay Corps, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia and the Middle East, 1940-1942.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Contains two folders of material relating to Sergeant Leo Baggott.

Folder 1 of 2 consists of one diary of Sergeant Baggott, containing entries dated between mid-1940 and late 1942. It covers the period of Sergeant Baggott’s enlistment and service with 9 Division Australian Supply Column and Australian Army Pay Corps in Palestine, Libya and Egypt. In his diary, Sergeant Baggott writes about his embarkation, starting work in Palestine, the weather, his impressions of the local environments, moving to a camp in Libya, the quality and quantity of rations, his impressions of Tobruk, recreational activities, regular enemy air raids, visiting an Italian prisoner of war camp, hearing news of the war, the limited water supply, receiving letters from home, feeling ill, attending mass and communion, attending concerts, regularly hearing artillery, the death of friends, the destruction of bombs and shells in the local area, swimming in the Mediterranean, and evacuating from Tobruk. He then goes on to write about transferring to the Pay Corps, being ill and recovering in hospital, sightseeing in local towns, having shellshock, working in an office, and hearing of the battles at El Alamein. This diary also contains names and addresses of acquaintances, financial notes, and notes on letters sent and received.

Folder 2 of 2 consists of documents of Sergeant Baggott, collected during his service in Libya and Egypt in 1941-1942. This folder contains:
1x Poem titled “Workshop Lament” by unknown author, Tobruk, Libya, 1941.
1x Typed transcript of poem.
1x Christmas card from Lieutenant Richard Brown to Sergeant Baggott, Middle East, December 1942.
1x Menu for the Cairo “Base Wallopers” Christmas dinner, Cairo, Egypt, December 1942. The menu is signed by dinner attendees.