Category Archives: The Army

A town surrenders to a couple of privates

                              Once again, written in pencil…  and once again, the ability to rotate the image was sacrificed in favour of ‘legibility’ – not sure if that … Continue reading

Posted in escapades, relaxation, fun and games, Middle East, organisation, The course of the war | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Surprising capture of a French sniper

      Written in pencil – barely legible (scan is much clearer than the actual document) – was not able to rotate image before inserting.         TX 1004 Pte M Hickman 2/33rd battalion AIF Abroad 10th … Continue reading

Posted in Australian, gambling and drinking, Middle East, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The first important lesson-to keep the head down

    TX 1004 Pte M Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 28th. 6. 41 Dear Mother and Dad Just a few lines hoping they find you happy and well as I am at present.  I have had three letters during … Continue reading

Posted in organisation, The course of the war, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We’ve been busy lately but are having a bludge today

    TX 1004 Priv M Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 21st June 1941 Dear Mother & Dad Just a line or two hoping to find you happy and well as I am at the moment though rather tired.  We’ve … Continue reading

Posted in Hierarchy, Middle East, organisation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peaceful prelude to dramatic evacuation

  TX 1004 Pte M L Hickman 2/33 Battn AIF Sunday 15th June 41 Dear Mother Just a few lines from the shade of a fig tree hoping to find you, dad and the boys as happy and well as … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East, parcels, The course of the war, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Syria campaign begins

War diary : first week of the Syria campaign – June 1941 Friday 6th Left Er Rama at 11pm, travelled about 20 miles – very interesting road – one of the seven wonders of the world – marvellous engineering – … Continue reading

Posted in Carrier platoon, Middle East, organisation, The course of the war, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We’ve got a spot of work to do

                TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 5th June 1941 Dear Mother Further to the letters I wrote you and May yesterday, you will be pleased to know that the … Continue reading

Posted in Australian, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, Hierarchy, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A night out in Haifa…and the consequences

TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 4th June 1941 Dear Mother Once again from the shade of an olive branch I am writing to tell you that I’m fit and happy and hope this letter finds you … Continue reading

Posted in escapades, relaxation, fun and games, Hierarchy, Middle East, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Camping amid gum trees – and a damn good feed

    TX 1004 Pte M Hickman 2/33rd Battn AIF Abroad 31st May 1941 Dear Mother After being detached from the battalion for some time our platoon rejoined them in a new camp today and this evening received quite a … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, Carrier platoon, gambling and drinking, Middle East, organisation, Posts and telegraph, Tasmanian, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Parcels arriving : there must be a move on

                                          TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 22nd May 1941 Dear Mother The last two days the … Continue reading

Posted in escapades, relaxation, fun and games, organisation, parcels, The course of the war, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment