John Frederick Thomas Down NX60079, message to his family read by a radio announcer on "Postman Calls", Radio Tokyo.

Accession Number S05891
Collection type Sound
Object type Radio broadcast
Physical description Disc 78rpm - Cardboard base
Maker NHK
Date made 23 April 1945
Access Open
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

Message from Lance Sergeant John Frederick Thomas Down NX60079, Headquarters, Royal Australian Artillery read by a radio announcer on "Postman Calls", Radio Tokyo. The message written by John Down was broadcast during a Japanese propaganda program and picked up on short-wave radio by B. O. South, 460 Larkin Street, San Francisco, California, USA, on 23 April 1945. The message was transferred to a magnetic wire spool and then put on to a cardboard record which was posted to Australia.

TRANSCRIPT:
ANNOUNCER: Lance Sergeant John Down sends the following message to his mother Mrs Ivy Mary Down Five Four Macquarie Street, Parramatta, Sydney

"Dear Mater my health is excellent. Love to family, Ted and [inaudible], hope happy ending soon. Jack Dooley of Maroubra, Kirk Nicholas of Croydon, Jim McHugh of Roseville, Jack McLennan Armadale, here and all well. Your loving son, John."

ANNOUNCER: We’re right there with you John on that happy ending and hope the good folks around Sydney will pass your message on to your mother, Mrs Ivy Mary Down, 54 Macquarie Street, Parramatta, Sydney.

Down was taken prisoner of war of the Japanese after the fall of Singapore in February 1942. He survived the war and was repatriated back to Australia in October 1945 being discharged from service in January 1946.

  • Listen to John Frederick Thomas Down NX60079, message to his family read by a radio announcer on "Postman Calls", Radio Tokyo.