Wallet 1 of 1 - Letters from Arthur Trevor Jorgensen to his mother, 1945

Letters relating to the Second World War service of QX60848 Private Arthur Trevor Jorgensen, 2/31st Australian Infantry Battalion, June-September 1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Contains eight letters from Jorgensen to his mother written during the period 21 June to 5 September 1945. Jorgensen pens his first letter after landing on Morotai Island in the Netherlands East Indies, and remarks on the activities of the men in the lead-up to the last major Australian operation of the Second World War, the Battle of Balikpapan. Several letters that follow largely focus on "the great landing at Balikpapan" and his experiences during the opening week of the operation. He offers his impressions of engaging Japanese troops and recalls narrow escapes and humorous incidents in the course of combat activities.

Jorgensen resumes writing to his mother whilst in hospital after being wounded in battle. He breaks the news of his situation with scant details on his injuries, and instead attempts to reassure his mother by remarking on his recovery and the prospect of being repatriated to Australia. In subsequent letters, he progressively reveals the extent of his injuries, and shares some particulars on the intensive care provided by medical staff and his ongoing convalescence. In his last letter, Jorgensen further elaborates on his evolving medical care and improving health, and expresses hope of returning home in the near future.

This file contains:

Letter from Arthur Trevor Jorgensen to his mother, [Morotai Island, Netherlands East Indies], 21 June 1945;
Letter from Arthur Trevor Jorgensen to his mother, [Balikpapan, Netherlands East Indies], 4 July [1945];
Letter from Arthur Trevor Jorgensen to his mother, [Balikpapan, Netherlands East Indies], 6 July 1945;
Letter from Arthur Trevor Jorgensen to his mother, [Balikpapan, Netherlands East Indies, c. 9-16 July 1945];
Letter from Arthur Trevor Jorgensen to his mother, [Balikpapan, Netherlands East Indies], 18 July 1945;
Letter from Arthur Trevor Jorgensen to his mother, [At sea], 22 July 1945;
Letter from Arthur Trevor Jorgensen to his mother, 2/5 Australian General Hospital, [Morotai Island, Netherlands East Indies], 24 August [1945]; and
Letter from Arthur Trevor Jorgensen to his mother, 2/5 Australian General Hospital, [Morotai Island, Netherlands East Indies], 5 September 1945.