Jackson, Alan Thomas (Private, b.1907 - d.1943)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX84357 Private Alan Thomas Jackson, 2/17 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia, the Middle East and New Guinea, 1942-1943.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Consists of 34 letters [including associated envelopes] and nine envelopes from Private Alan Thomas Jackson to his children, Marie, Ian and Lynne Jackson. These letters are dated between 5 February 1942 and 13 August 1943. They were written by Private Jackson during his training in Australia and service with 2/17 Australian Infantry Battalion in the Middle East, Australia and New Guinea. In his letters, Private Jackson writes about his life at a training camp near Dubbo, New South Wales, attending church services, visiting friends, communicating with people from his Scouts group, seeing films, his embarkation from Australia, attending concerts on board the ship, his first impression of Palestine, Christmas celebrations, and sightseeing in Jerusalem. He goes on to write about settling into new camps in Australia and New Guinea, route marching, and missing his family. In every letter, Private Jackson responds to news from home and sends his love. In one letter, dated 3 August 1942, Private Jackson enclosed a letter from his friend, NX84161 Lance Bombardier Charles Henry ‘Charlie’ Winston, who was serving in the Middle East.

Private Alan Thomas Jackson enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 17 January 1942. After a period of training in Dubbo, New South Wales, he embarked for overseas service as a reinforcement to 2/17 Australian Infantry Battalion. With this unit, he trained and served in the Middle East. In early 1943, Private Jackson returned to Australia and underwent jungle training. He was then deployed to New Guinea with his unit. Private Jackson was wounded in action during the Allied offensive at, Finschhafen, New Guinea in September 1943. He was killed when the dressing station at which he was being treated was bombed on 25 September 1943. Private Alan Thomas Jackson is buried at Lae War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea.