McDowell, Arthur F

This collection consists of 2 original pocket sized diaries and 5 postcards. The diaries belonged to 19309 Sapper Arthur Francis McDowell, the first dated 1918 and covering his service in Palestine, and the second dated 1919 and covering activities in England. The postcards show scenes from New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Egypt and have writing on the back. Two postcards have been written by 'Frank' and the others to 'Mr McDowell' and 'Frank', spanning the years 1915-1918. It is known that McDowell was a signalman in the RAN Brigade from August 1914 to May 1917, during which he made repeated unsuccessful attempts to obtain release in order to enlist in the AIF. On 29 May 1917 he successfully enlisted in the AIF under the name 'Andrew McGowan' and reverted to his true name of Arthur Francis McDowell in July 1918.