| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2018.1233.1 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: 1 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Diary |
| Maker |
Martin, Robert James |
| Place made | New Guinea |
| Date made | 1943 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copying Provisions | Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction. |
Martin, Robert James (Private, b. 1911 - d. 1984)
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX56478 Private Robert James Martin, 2/7 Australian Infantry Battalion, New Guinea, 1943.
Collection consists of one diary written by Private Martin, with entries dated between 29 January and 8 June 1943. In his diary, Martin records his experiences of serving with his battalion in the Wau area of New Guinea. Some of these experiences include being on picket duty, seeing many people killed and wounded by friendly fire, sleeping in wet dugouts, being fired at by a sniper while getting water, seeing the bodies of his friends beside a road, going on patrols, being in hospital with a wounded hand, helping a pilot escape his crashed aircraft, a Japanese bombing raid on the camp, being part of work parties, clearing landslides, panning for gold, feeling very ill and returning to hospital, and working in torrential rain.
Martin also regularly notes the letters that he wrote to and received from friends and family, particularly his wife Lillian, and his sisters Ann and Jess.