Horwood, Leonard James (Private, b.1923 - d.1942)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX7324 Private Leonard James Horwood, 2/20 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia and Malaya,1941.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of 11 letters from Private Horwood to members of his family, one letter possibly relating to Private Horwood, one Christmas card, and one document relating to Private Horwood. Private Horwood’s letters, dated between 11 May and 30 October 1941, cover the period of his training in New South Wales and service with 2/19 and 2/20 Australian Infantry Battalions in Malaya. In his letters, Private Horwood writes about arriving in Dubbo for training, enjoying army life, going to see films at the picture theatre, his first impressions of Malaya, listening to American music, the hot weather, playing two up, living in a dug-out, seeing war destruction, joining 2/20 Australian Infantry Battalion, working hard, becoming a machine gunner, seeing some English civilian friends, sending gifts home, receiving mail, and battalion parades through town. He also responds to news from home and sends his love.
This file contains:
1x Letter from Private Horwood to his mother, Mrs Catherine Horwood, Dubbo, New South Wales, 11 May 1941
1x Letter from Private Horwood to Mrs Catherine Horwood, Dubbo, New South Wales, 23 May 1941
1x Letter from Mrs L Stevenson [identity unknown] to Mrs Howard [identity unknown], Perth, Western Australia, 7 August 1941. This letter refers to two soldiers that Mrs Stevenson had invited to dinner [possibly including Private Horwood].
1x Letter from Private Horwood to his sister, Miss Edna Joyce Horwood, [c August 1941]
1x Letter from Private Horwood to Miss Edna Joyce Horwood, Malaya, 21 August 1941
1x letter from Private Horwood to Miss Edna Joyce Horwood, Malaya, 2 September 1941
1x Letter from Private Horwood to Miss Edna Joyce Horwood, Malaya, [c September 1941]
1x letter from Private Horwood to Miss Edna Joyce Horwood, Malaya, 2 October 1941
1x letter from Private Horwood to Miss Edna Joyce Horwood, Malaya, 9 October 1941
1x Letter from Private Horwood to Mrs Catherine Horwood, Malaya, 17 October 1941
1x Letter from Private Horwood to Mrs Catherine Horwood, Malaya, [c October 1941]
1x Letter from Private Horwood to Miss Edna Joyce Horwood, Malaya, 31 October 1941
1x Christmas card from Private Horwood to Mrs Catherine Horwood, Malaya, 1941
1x Statement of medals awarded to Private Horwood

Private Leonard James Horwood enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 8 May 1941. Born in 1923, he declared that he was two years older in order to enlist. After undertaking training at Dubbo, New South Wales, Private Horwood served with 2/19 and 2/20 Australian Infantry Battalions in Malaya. Private Horwood was killed in action in Malaya on 10 February 1942, during the Battle of Singapore. He was 18 years old. He is commemorated at the Singapore Memorial, Singapore.