Sweetheart Christmas card given by VX53801 Private (Pte) Leo Harry Whidbourne to his wife Joyce, ...

Sweetheart Christmas card given by VX53801 Private (Pte) Leo Harry Whidbourne to his wife Joyce, probably during his service in the Second World War. The card features individual portraits of Cpl Whidbourne and Joyce Whidbourne set in cut out heart shapes, and joined by chains attached to a key. It also contains the words "A Merry Christmas" and has a Union Jack flag and a stylised Australian flag above the portraits. The words "To Joyce with love and kisses, Leo" are written on the reverse of the print. Pte Whidbourne went on to serve in the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) in the Korean War with the service number 3400114 . He is one of four soldiers of a Bren gun team featured in the battle of Kapyong diorama in the Korean War gallery. Early on 24 April 1951, 5400049 Corporal Ray Norman Parry, 32194 Private (Pte) Eric James Roberts, 31457 Pte Kevin Leslie 'Joe the Ghost' Simms, and Pte Whidbourne defended their position against repeated attacks by Chinese soldiers. On the night of 22 April 1951, Chinese forces had launched a major offensive against United Nations forces defending the South Korean capital, Seoul, and positions further east. Next morning the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade (including the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment) was ordered to the valley of the Kapyong River about 60 kilometres north-east of Seoul, where South Korean forces were being driven back. During a night of fierce fighting and throughout the daylight hours of 24 April the Australians and a Canadian battalion, supported by a New Zealand artillery regiment, stalled the Chinese advance before eventually withdrawing after dark. At a cost of 32 men killed, 59 wounded and three missing taken prisoner, the Australians had helped hold up the Chinese 60th Division and inflicted heavy casualties. For their contribution to this action, 3 RAR was awarded a US Presidential Citation.