| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR01858 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: .5 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Horton, Norman John |
| Place made | British Mandate of Palestine: Palestine, British Mandate of Palestine: Palestine |
| Date made | 1940 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Horton, Norman John (Corporal, b.1913 - d.1965)
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX2469 Corporal Norman John 'Jack' Horton, 2/1 Australian Infantry Battalion, Palestine and Egypt, 1940.
Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of two letters from Corporal Horton to his friend, Albert Rickard, during his service in Palestine and Egypt. In his first letter, dated 20 April 1940, Corporal Horton writes about his monotonous sea voyage to the Middle East, going to Jerusalem on leave, sightseeing, visiting Tel-Aviv, a slow supply of tobacco, and playing hockey with his battalion. In his second letter, he mentions moving to Egypt, seeing the Pyramids and Sphinx, impressions of Alexandria, and dealing with fleas and flies.
History / Summary
Norman John “Jack” Horton enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 3 November 1939. He was assigned to the 2/1 Australian Infantry Battalion, and was soon promoted to lance corporal and then corporal. Corporal Horton served with his unit in the Middle East and Greece. In June 1941, he was captured on Crete as a prisoner of war of the Germans. He was interned in German prisoner of war camps until his liberation in May 1945. After recovery in hospital, he was promoted to staff sergeant, and returned to Australia in August 1945. Staff Sergeant Horton was discharged on 17 October 1945 on compassionate grounds.