| Accession Number | AWM2018.253.1 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: .5 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | New Guinea1: Papua New Guinea, Papua |
| Date made | 1943 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required. |
Statham, William James (Signalman, b.1918 - d.2002)
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX164983 (N197064) Signalman William James Statham, 27 Australian Line Section, Second Australian Imperial Force, Papua, 1943.
Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one letter from ‘Henrico’, a Papuan boy [exact identity unknown], to Miss Elizabeth Kathleen Statham, Signalman William James Statham’s sister. In his letter, Henrico writes about his work with Signalman Statham and the Australians, the cruelty of the Japanese soldiers towards Papuan people, and his motivation for helping the Australians.
History / Summary
Signalman William James Statham enlisted to the Citizens Military Force on 2 October 1941. He was called up for duty in April 1942, and served in New South Wales with Signals 10 Division. Signalman Statham was transferred to the Second Australian Imperial Force in 1943, and went on to serve in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. He was discharged on 16 January 1946.