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1343059

Title
Item 01: Notebooks (2) containing hand written copies of 123 letters from Major William Alan Audsley to his parents, ca. 1916-ca. 1919, transcribed by his father. Also includes original letters (2) written by Major Audsley.
Call number
MLMSS 9675/Item 1
Level of description
item
Date

ca. 1916-ca. 1919
Type of material
Textual Records
Reference code
1343059
Issue Copy
Digitised : 2015
Physical Description
2 volumes
Scope and Content
Two bound notebooks containing handwritten transcriptions of 123 letters written by William Alan Audsley to his parents while on active service with the A.I.F., 1916-1919. Audsley wrote to his parents almost every week on a Sunday, and his letters constitute a detailed record of his service as an artillery officer from embarkation to repatriation. Audsley left Sydney aboard the troopship A8 Argyllshire on the 11th May 1916 and served with the 107th and 108th battery of the 5th Field Artillery Brigade on the Western Front being promoted to the rank of Major. Notable events described in the first notebook include: a review of the Australian and New Zealand troops by the King at Salisbury Plain on 27 September 1916; a medal presentation by General Birdwood to Australian troops in France, 30 December 1917 followed by discussion of the conscription referendum. The second notebook includes Audsley's active service in France; his eye witness account of the death of Baron von Richtholfen, the Red Baron, shot down by Australian machine gunners over the Somme on 21 April 1918; Armistice Day, 11 November 1918; Audsley's selection for the A.I.F. Rowing team, 10 March 1919; a reception at Australia House London with Andrew Fisher and Billy Hughes followed by a march through London; rowing at Putney and watching rugby; being awarded the DSO, 9 June 1919; rowing in the Royal Henley Peace Regatta and meeting King George, 13 July 1919.
Copying Conditions
Copyright status:: In copyright
Copyright holder:: State Library of New South Wales
Rights and Restrictions Information:: May be copied for reference and publication
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
General note

State Library of New South Wales collection of World War I letters
Digital order no:Album ID : 1343943
Name
Argyllshire (ship)
Australia. Army. Field Artillery Brigade, 5th
Richthofen, Manfred, Freiherr von, 1892-1918
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IE780440