Evatt, Francis Septimus (Gunner, b.1898 - d.1918)

Collection relating to the First World War service of Gunner Francis Septimus Evatt, 1st Field Artillery Brigade. Collection consists of 2 folders. Folder 1 contains three original letters plus transcript of same, written hometo family, from France in 1918 describing his feelings particularly about the possibility of continuing to study medicine. Folder 2 contains transcripts only of a further 74 letters written by Evatt to family, between December 1916 and August 1918. These letters cover the sea voyage between Australia and England with a short stop in Durban; life in various camps in England; arrival in France in July 1917; his wounding and recovery in an English hospital; further training in various English camps; the death of his brother Lt Raymond Scott Evatt on 20 September 1917 in Belgium; and his return to the fighting in France. Most of the letters discuss family, friends, events at home and the gentler side of life rather than the fighting. Gnr Evatt died of wounds on 29 September 1918 in France.