Arundale, Norman Frank (Private, b.1906 - d.1989)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX1072 Private Norman Frank ‘Norm’ Arundale, Australian Army Service Corps, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia, the Middle East, Ceylon and New Guinea, 1941-1942.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of two diaries of Private Norman Frank ‘Norm’ Arundale.

The first diary contains entries dated between April 1941 and c mid 1942, and covers the period of Private Arundale’s enlistment and service in the Middle East and Ceylon with the Australian Army Service Corps. In this diary, Private Arundale writes about his motivations for enlistment, training, camp life in the Middle East, hearing worsening news of the war in Malaya, sightseeing in local villages, his impressions of the Middle Eastern locations he had served in, serving in Ceylon, activities while on leave, the impact of venereal disease on the men, and returning to Australia. The diary also includes training notes and various lists. However, it is incomplete, missing large sections of pages.

The second diary contains entries dated between c September and December 1942, and covers the period of Private Arundale’s service with the Australian Army Service Corps in Australia and New Guinea. In this diary, Private Arundale writes about arriving in Sydney, training, travelling to Townsville, embarkation, settling into his camp at Port Moresby, meeting people from other units, accidents in the camp, Japanese air raids, seeing wounded soldiers return from the Kokoda Track, recreational activities, assisting in the hospital, and transporting food and supplies. This diary also contains various notes and lists.