Desmond, Jack (Sergeant, b.1908 - d.1992)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of A31295 Sergeant Jack Desmond, 2 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Australia, Netherlands East Indies and Borneo, 1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of two folders of material relating to Sergeant Jack Desmond.

Folder 1 of 2 contains one diary and one letter written by Sergeant Jack Desmond. The diary contains entries dated between 15 November [1944] and 6 December 1945, and covers the period of Sergeant Desmond’s embarkation and service in Balikpapan. In his diary, Sergeant Desmond writes about travelling by train to Darwin, sea voyage, feeling sea sick, stopping for fuel and repairs at Bowen, Queensland, hearing news that the war was over in Europe, missing his wife and daughter, admiring his tropical island location, driving a truck, preparing to travel to Borneo, voyaging on an American ship to Borneo via Port Moresby, Darwin, Biak Island and Morotai, seeing a very large convoy of ships move out of Morotai, heavy rain, being frustrated with the poor organisation of the officers, having two months of pay stolen from his wallet, his first impressions of Balikpapan upon his arrival in July 1945, bathing in the rain, struggling with the hot climate, settling in his new camp, being on guard duty, Japanese air raids, hearing the bombardment of Japanese positions in the hills, receiving mail from his family, working hard to organise a store, touring the ruins of the town, hearing that peace with Japan was declared, having days off, practicing Malayan language, seeing a concert featuring Gracie Fields, finding an old Japanese corpse, seeing films, seeing trucks full of Japanese prisoners, hearing of plane crashes, flying Japanese, exploring in the jungle, and leaving Balikpapan for home. Sergeant Desmond also includes a detailed description of his experiences in Balikpapan, several sketches, and additional notes. The diary also contains its original pencil. The letter, written by Sergeant Desmond to his wife, Isabella Desmond, is dated 16 September 1945. In his letter, Sergeant Desmond writes about his experiences in Balikpapan, including shooting a dog (suspected to be a Japanese decoy) while on guard duty, a Japanese air raid, and confrontations with small groups of Japanese soldiers.

Folder 2 of 2 contains an agreement document and a set of notes. The agreement document states that the signatories will, if circumstances allow, share a drink together if they were to ever accidentally meet in the future. It is signed by six members of 2 Squadron, including Sergeant Desmond. The document was created at Balikpapan, Borneo, on 5 October 1945. The set of notes, dated 28 November 1945, contains an English to Japanese alphabet translation and a sketch of Mount Naka, Japan.

Sergeant Jack Desmond enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 1 June 1939, after previously serving with the Citizen’s Military Force. During the Second World War, he served with 2 Squadron in Darwin, New Britain, the Netherlands East Indies, and Borneo. Sergeant Desmond later served with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. He was discharged on 2 July 1952.