Duncan, James Maxwell (Corporal, b.1911-d.1941)

Places	Africa: Egypt, Cairo Africa: Egypt, Marsa Matruh Africa: North Africa, Libya, Cyrenaica, Bardia Area, Bardia Africa: North Africa, Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk Middle East: British Mandate of Palestine, Palestine
Accession Number	PR05433
Collection type	Private Record
Record type	Collection
Measurement	Extent: .5 cm; Wallet/s: 1
Object type	Letter
Maker	Duncan, James Maxwell
Place made	Libya
Date made	1941
Access	Open
Conflict	Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright	Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain This item is in the Public Domain
Copying Provisions	Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required.

Description

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX47522 Corporal James Maxwell 'Max' Duncan, 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Libya, 1941.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one nine-page letter from Corporal Duncan to his wife, Jessie Mary Duncan, and young daughter, Janice Duncan, dated 20-30 March 1941. This letter was written while Corporal Duncan was serving with 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion in Libya. In his letter, Corporal Duncan writes about his journey from Palestine to Egypt, his impressions of Cairo, travelling by train to Marsa Matrah, cleaning out barracks, a severe sandstorm, seeing destruction caused by the war, travelling to Tobruk, guarding Italian prisoners of war and supplies, exploring wrecked Italian vehicles, fleas, and travelling to a smaller town to guard a different group of Italian prisoners.

History / Summary

Corporal James Maxwell Duncan enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 18 July 1940. He served with 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion in Palestine, Egypt and Libya. On 17 May 1941, Corporal Duncan was killed in action at Tobruk, Libya. He is buried at Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya.