Holland, Herbert Sawford (Driver, b.1911-d.1990)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX69236 Driver Herbert Sawford Holland, 2/3 Reserve Motor Transport Company, Second Australian Imperial Force, Thailand and Australia, 1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of two letters from Driver Holland to his sister, Mary Helen 'Nell' Stephen [née Holland]. In his first letter, dated 10 September 1945, Driver Holland writes about receiving letters while he was a prisoner of war, having malaria for several months, American and British prisoners being repatriated before Australians, American paratroopers in the area, being air-dropped supplies by Liberator aircraft, and previous air raids on the camp by Allied aircraft. Driver Holland’s second letter, dated 9 October 1945, was written on board SS Tamaroa. In this letter, he writes about his journey from Thailand to Australia. This letter also includes its original envelope.

Herbert Sawford Holland enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 7 March 1941. He served with 2/3 Reserve Motor Transport Company in Malaya, but was taken as a prisoner of war of the Japanese in early 1942. With other members of his company, Driver Holland worked on the Burma-Thai Railway. He was repatriated to Australia after the war ended, and was discharged on 13 December 1945.