Crump, Philip (Private, b.1921 - d.1942)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX59205 Private Philip Crump, 2/24 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia, Palestine, Syria and Egypt, 1941-1943.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Contains three folders of material relating to Private Philip Crump.

Folder 1 of 3 consists of 24 letters and three telegrams from Private Crump to various members of his family, dated between 19 July and 29 December 1941. These letters cover the period of Private Crump’s enlistment, embarkation, and training and service in Palestine. In his letters, Private Crump writes about settling into camp after his enlistment, being drafted as a transport driver for the infantry, being on guard duty, taking part in training exercises, embarkation, life on board the ship, arriving in Palestine, his impressions of the environment and local people, hearing news of the war, undertaking training in different types of artillery, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, being in hospital with the mumps, receiving letters and parcels, recovering at a convalescent depot at Tel Aviv, attending a sports day, visiting Haifa on leave, re-joining his battalion, meeting old acquaintances, feeling homesick, attending a signalling course, seeing films at the picture theatre, having a big Christmas dinner, passing his signalling exams, receiving parcels from the Australian Comforts Fund, camouflaging the camp, and spending recreational time in the YMCA tent. Private Crump also makes enquires of family members and responds to news from home.

Folder 2 of 3 consists of 38 letters, seven telegrams, and one envelope from Private Crump to various members of his family, dated between 9 January and 16 October 1942. This correspondence covers the period of Private Crump’s service in Palestine, Syria, and Egypt. In his correspondence, private Crump writes about having leave in Tel Aviv, meeting old friends, being on patrol, receiving letters and parcels, being in good health, travelling through Syria, his impressions of the landscape, taking photographs, seeing films at the picture theatre, training, preparing for a signalling exam, camouflaging the camp, having leave in Beirut and Damascus, spending recreational time in the YMCA tent, sightseeing in the local area, having leave in Tripoli, swimming in the Mediterranean, moving to the Western Desert, living in trenches, being in action on the front line, losing his belongings while retreating from the Germans, being on night duty in the signals office, having a period of rest behind the front line, the weather, being caught in an air raid on the way to the front, being in hospital, receiving items from the Red Cross, recovering in a convalescent camp in Egypt, having leave in Alexandria, returning to his unit, seeing aerial combat overhead, fighting in trenches, hearing news of the war in the Pacific, and making improvements to his dugout. Private Crump also makes enquires of family members and responds to news from home.

Folder 3 of 3 consists of 11 documents relating to the service and death of Private Crump.
This folder contains:
1x Program for a Civic Service for the National Day of Prayer, Mildura, Victoria, 3 September 1942
1x Acknowledgement of application for Female Relative Badge from the Australian Military Forces to Private Crump’s mother, Mrs Bessie Crump, Victoria, 9 October 1942, [includes envelope]
1x Telegram from the Minister for the Army to Private Crump’s father, Mr Bertram Crump, Melbourne, Victoria, 18 November 1942. This telegram informs Mr Crump that his Private Crump was killed in action.
1x Letter from the Australian Military Forces to Mr Bertram Crump, Melbourne, Victoria, 23 November 1942. This letter informs Mr Crump of the correct date of death of Private Crump.
1x Letter from King George VI, [date unknown]. This letter extends sympathy and condolences to grieving family members.
1x Letter of condolence from Jessie Smith [identity unknown] to Mr and Mrs Crump, Elwood, Victoria, 27 November 1942
1x Letter from the Accounts Office of the Department of Defence to Mrs Bessie Crump, Melbourne, Victoria, 8 December 1942. This letter relates to the will of Private Crump.
1x Letter of condolence from VX53912 Signalman Raymond Clive Fisher to Mrs Bessie Crump, Middle East, [date unknown], [includes envelope]
1x Letter from the Department of the Army to Mr Bertram Crump, Melbourne, Victoria, 20 January 1943, [includes Certificate of Death of Private Crump]
1x Letter from the Records Office to Mrs Bessie Crump, Melbourne, Victoria, 14 October 1943. This letter relates to the personal belongings of Private Crump.
1x Newspaper clipping of obituary of VX47277 Lance Sergeant George Gilbert Killingbeck, c. May 1945.

Oversize Item – Consists of one folder, which originally housed the collection of letters of Private Philip Crump. Folder is brown faux leather, and is embossed with Private Crump’s name, service number, and birth and death dates.

Private Philip Crump enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 9 July 1941. After a short period of training, he embarked for service in the Middle East in September 1941. Private Crump served with 2/24 Australian Infantry Battalion in Palestine and Syria, and underwent training to become a signaller. He then went on to serve with his unit in Egypt. On 31 October 1942, Private Crump was killed in action during the Second Battle of El Alamein. He is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.