Birney, James (Gunner, b.1909 - d.1994)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX57685 Gunner James Birney, 2/1 Survey Regiment, Second Australian Imperial Force, the Middle East, at sea, and Australia, 1941-1943.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of two folders of material relating to the Second World War service of Gunner James Birney.

Folder 1 of 2 contains one diary of Gunner Birney, covering the period of Gunner Birney’s embarkation, training in the Middle East with 2/1 Survey Regiment, and return to Australia. In his diary entries dated between 24 March and 11 May 1941, Gunner Birney first writes about his embarkation, travelling in convoy, complaints of food quality, hearing news of the evacuations of Greece, disembarking in Egypt, travelling to Palestine, and a challenging route march. After a break in writing, Gunner Birney recommences his diary on 4 March 1942, and makes regular entries until 12 May 1942. In this section of his diary, Gunner Birney writes about preparing to embark from Palestine for service in the Pacific, hearing news of the war, the weather, daily rations, transporting a large number of trucks, frustrations with the organisation of the movement of troops and equipment, being tired of inactivity, cheering as they left the Middle East, parades on board the ship, card games in his spare time, a lack of faith in the officers, the unfair distinction between officers and regular soldiers, doing laundry to earn money, coaling the ship at Aden, losing his watch, being wary of enemy ships and submarines, having a lack of drinking water on the ship, lightning striking the ship during a thunderstorm, his admiration for the Navy, having leave in Perth, Western Australia, disembarking in Adelaide, South Australia, being on guard duty, and getting used to ordinary camp life.

Folder 2 of 2 contains two transcripts. The first transcript is a typed copy of Gunner Birney’s 1941-1942 dairy, in two parts. The second transcript is a typed copy of a diary of Gunner Birney, containing entries dated between 21 April and 19 May 1943 [the location of the original diary is unknown]. In his 1943 diary, Gunner Birney writes about travelling through North Queensland, preparing for service in New Guinea, his final medical examination, being on guard duty, life in the camp, being frustrated with idleness, attending lectures, going on work parties, embarkation, and life on board the ship.

James Birney enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 16 July 1940. After a period of training, he embarked for service in the Middle East in April 1941. Birney served with 2/1 Survey Regiment as a gunner in Palestine. After approximately one year of overseas service, he returned to Australia for training and home duty. During mid-1942, Birney struggled with sicknesses, and spent time in hospital and convalescent camps. Birney transferred to 2/6 Survey Battery in mid-1943, and served with this unit in New Guinea. He was later promoted to the rank of lance bombardier. James Birney was discharged on 15 October 1945.