| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2020.7.127 |
| Collection number | PR00760 |
| Collection type | Digitised Collection |
| Record type | Wallet |
| Item count | 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Physical description | 99 Image/s captured |
| Maker |
Bairstow, John Leslie |
| Place made | At sea, Australia |
| Date made | 1941-1943 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Wallet 1 of 4 - Letters from John Leslie (Jack) Bairstow to his family, July 1941 - September 1943
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War service and death of 427632 Pilot Officer John Leslie (Jack) Bairstow, No. 1660 Conversion Unit, Royal Australian Air Force, (formerly W22622 Sapper John Leslie (Jack) Bairstow, 13 Field Company, Australian Army), Australia, At sea and England, 21 June 1941 - 20 January 1965.
Wallet 1 of 4 - Contains 26 letters from Bairstow to his mother and father spanning the period 21 July 1941 to 5 September 1943. In these letters Bairstow largely writes about domestic matters including the wellbeing of his family in Wagin and Perth, his engagement with Mary Isabel Wilhelm, their subsequent marriage and the impending birth of their first child. Bairstow briefly refers to his service with 13 Field Company and transfer to the Royal Australian Air Force including a period at Melville Army Camp in Perth and training with No. 4 Service Flying Training School at Geraldton. In the last three letters written at sea, Bairstow describes his impressions of Melbourne, journey at sea and a stopover at an un-named port of call. This wallet also includes a souvenired lunch menu for officers from 11 September 1941.