Foxwell, William Stephen George MM (Lieutenant, b.1904 - d.1947)

Four original handwritten diaries and a 1996 typescript transcript of the diaries entitled 'The Second World War diaries of Lieutenant W.S.G. Foxwell M.M. (VX5489) 2/7th Battalion: April 14, 1940 to September 19, 1945'. Commences with Lieutenant Foxwell's embarkation from Melbourne aboard HMS "Strathaird"; briefly mentions the Battle of Bardia January 1941 (where he was awarded an MM) and other towns in the Middle East; the transfer of the 2/7 Battalion to Greece; the bombing of the Dutch transport SS "Costa Rica" by the Germans; evacuation to Suda Bay, Crete and his eventual capture by the Germans in 1941. Lieutenant Foxwell describes his journey by train to Stalag 383, Hohenfels, Germany where he was a prisoner of war until 1945. The diaries give a brief daily account of the prison food, the weather and activities in the camp such as concerts, bridge and sports played, his reading and other cultural pursuits. He also makes reference to the attitude of the Germans towards their prisoners, an Anzac Day service held in 1943 at the camp and Liberation Day April 22, 1945 when he left Stalag 383 on motor bike for Paris. He was eventually flown to England from where he returned to Australia aboard the (Royal Mail Steamer) RMS "Otranto" in August 1945. See also Photographic Collection.