Deane, John Henry (Warrant Officer Class 2, b.1915 - d.2009)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX42733 Warrant Officer Class 2 John Henry Deane, 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Italy and Germany, 1940-1944.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of 15 letters, four postcards and one envelope from Warrant Officer John Harry Deane to his sister, Euphemia May Harding [née Deane], and his nephew, Bruce Harding, who he referred to as 'Sergeant Major'. These items of correspondence were written during his service with 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion in the Middle East and his time as a prisoner of war in Italy and Germany. In his letters, Warrant Officer Deane writes about missing his wife and family, receiving letters and photographs from home, capturing German prisoners of war, sleeping in cave-like quarters, obtaining souvenirs to send home, going on leave in Jerusalem, feeling lonely, receiving gifts on Christmas day, recovering from shellshock injuries, going to the cinema to see films, his feelings before going into battle, being well after being taken as a prisoner of war of the Italians, preparing for Christmas in the camp, and his joy after receiving mail after going without it for so long. He also responds to news from home, inquires after family members, and requests that they send letters and photographs regularly.

Warrant Officer Class 2 John Henry Deane enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 28 June 1940. He served with 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion in Palestine, Libya and Egypt, earning a Military Medal for great courage and devotion in action west of Tobruk, Libya, on 22 April 1941. In mid-1942, Warrant Officer Deane was captured as a prisoner of war by the Italians. He was interned in prisoner of war camps in Italy and Germany, and returned to Australia after his release in 1945. Warrant Officer Deane was discharged on 31 July 1945.