Cornell, Harold Gordon (Lieutenant, b.1891 - d.1917)

Collection relating to service of Lieutenant Harold Gordon Cornell, 2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps, At sea and England, 1916-1917. Collection includes, letters; training notes and diary kept by Cornell while undertaking wireless, observer and flight training in England.

Biographical note: Lieutenant, 2nd Sqn, AFC. Lieutenant Harold Gordon Cornell, Victoria, No 2 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, who on 11 December 1917 was killed in action over Dernancourt. Electrical engineer, of Ballarat, Victoria, born Richmond, VIC, 11 December 1891; educated Scotch College, Melbourne, went to England as a munitions worker, returning to Australia in the following year; enlisted in the AIF on 15 August at Queenstown, TAS and went to camp at Claremont; appointed 2nd Air Mechanic in Flying Corps and embarked on 25 October 1916; E. D. P. Corporal 29 December 1916 reverting to 2nd Air Mechanic on 11 January 1917; promoted Corporal 1 February 1917; Sergeant 1 May 1917; graduated as a pilot and appointed 2/Lieutenant 27 October 1917, landed in France 15 November 1917 and joined No 2 Squadron (or then as it was known) No 68 Squadron on November 22. Osborne Cornell who was Staff Sergeant 2 Field Ambulance in his first enlistment and Private 3 Machine Gun Battalion in his second enlistment was cousin to Harold Gordon Cornell.

• Diary of Harold Gordon Cornell, 1916 - 1917
• Letters and papers relating to the service of Harold Gordon Cornell, 1916 - 1917
• Log book and transfer card relating to the service of Harold Gordon Cornell, 1917
• Notebook relating to the service of Harold Gordon Cornell, 1917