Walker, Donald

Collection relating to the military service of Donald Walker, Victoria Barracks, Thursday Island, 1908.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Collection contains three original letters written by Donald Walker to his mother while serving at Victoria Barracks, Thursday Island, during 1908. In the first letter, dated 9 December 1908, Walker discusses recreation leave while a guest of a member of the pioneering Jardine family at their property [Somerset] in the Cape York area: hunting pigs, ducks and wild turkeys; a character sketch of the old Mr Jardine and his stories of life as a squatter; flora and fauna encountered during guided explorations of the local bush, rivers and swamps; descriptions of abundant fruits, including pineapples and mangoes.

In the second undated letter, he mainly refers to life at the barracks, including various epidemics e.g ringworm, Walker's own history of health problems and attempts at self-help, news of the military doctor being dismissed for drinking and consequent incomptence, and the decision to extend his military service contract for a further three years.

In the third undated letter, he gives detailed descriptions of routines of barracks life, especially parades and minor duties, detailed descriptions of routine meal menus and some soldiers' attempts to supplement their meals, e.g. Walker was included in forming a 'vegetable syndicate' to buy vegetables from local Chinese growers/merchants. He also talks about a survey of various local Torres Strait islands and their main features, including a waterfall on Prince of Wales Island, gold and opals on Horn Island and a leper colony, quarantine station and telegraph/signal station on Goode Island. Lastly, he discusses finally receiving the news of an invitation from a Mr Jardine 'the big squatter' to visit him during recreation leave (see letter dated 9 December 1908).

• Wallet 1 of 1 - Letters from Donald Walker to his mother, 1908