| Place | Africa: North Africa, Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2017.1055.1 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: .5 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Hirst, Arthur |
| Place made | North Africa: Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk |
| Date made | 1941 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Hirst, Arthur (Private, b.1909 - d.1997)
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX35138 Private Arthur Hirst, 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion, Tobruk, Libya, 1941.
Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one four-page letter from Private Hirst to his friend, Keith Butler, dated 1 September 1941. In his letter, Private Hirst writes about serving in Tobruk, philosophies, being well despite shells and bombs, attempts to make Sundays different from the rest of the week, swapping souvenirs with soldiers from other units, having one hot meal a day, and writing letters to family. He also responds to news from previous letters and reminds his friend of the good times they shared in the past.
History / Summary
Private Arthur Hirst enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 2 July 1940. He served with the 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion in the Middle East, Australia, New Guinea, and Borneo. Private Hirst was discharged on 27 November 1945.