Diamond, Oscar Nathan (Flight Lieutenant, b.1916 - d.2003)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of Flight Lieutenant Oscar Nathan Diamond DFC, No. 1 Squadron RAAF, Java and Taiwan, 1942-1944. The collection consists of one typed letter from the Commonwealth of Australia Department of Air informing Diamond's mother he has been reported missing in Java; one Japanese record from Diamond's time as a POW; one hand written and illustrated 1943 Christmas menu from Shirakawa POW camp; and two handwritten letters to Miss Norma Epton. The cover of the Christmas menu features a drawing of Donald Duck at a dinner table. Inside there is another drawing of a suited waiter with a carving knife by a turkey. It also includes the signatures of approximately 25 other POWs and details of the day's meals. Diamond's letters contain information about activities and conditions at the Shirakawa camp, his health and sentiments towards Norma.

Oscar Nathan Diamond (b.1916 - d.2003) enlisted as an air cadet at Point Cook Victoria on 13/11/1939. He embarked in Melbourne 18/07/1940 for the Far East.

Diamond was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with effect from 13/02/1942 for his role in the sinking of Japanese transport ship Awazian Maru, as well as the safe return of his crew on two separate occasions after their Hudson aircraft was damaged.

The Flight Lieutenant was reported missing, presumed a prisoner of war, as a result of the Japanese occupation of Java on 08/05/1942. He was transferred from Java to Shirakawa POW camp in Taiwan, via Changi, in November 1943. He was then transferred from Shirakawa to Mukden POW camp in Manchuria (via Fukuoka, Japan) in March 1945. Mukden POW camp was liberated in August 1945.

Diamond returned to Perth, Australia in September 1945 and was discharged from the RAAF on 04/03/1946.

He married Norma Epton in 1946.