Molony, Gilbert George (Staff Sergeant, b. 1911 – d.1943)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX22537 Staff Sergeant Gilbert George Molony, 2/21 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Infantry Battalion, China, 1943.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Contains two letters written by Staff Sergeant Molony to his family during his internment in a Japanese prisoner of war camp in Hainan, China. These letters were written in the days leading to his death, after suffering from Malaria and other tropical fevers. They were entrusted to VX34426 Lieutenant Denis Washington Smith by Staff Sergeant Molony to forward to the Molony family after Lieutenant Smith’s return to Australia.

The first letter is written by Staff Sergeant Molony to his brother Francis William Molony, and is dated 27 September 1943. In this letter he informs him of the events leading to his death, including his capture and hospitalisations. He requests Francis to act as executor of his wife, Mrs Dorothy Stewart Molony (née McLean)’s estate. He outlines his financial allocations and lists fellow servicemen who can assist him in this process.

The second letter is written by Staff Sergeant Molony to his wife Mrs Dorothy Stewart Molony (née McLean), and is dated 29 September 1943. In this letter he passes on his advice on future financial management, funeral and burial requests and the raising of their child, Lola Jean Molony.