Category Archives: Uncategorized

Peaceful prelude to dramatic evacuation

Posted on June 15, 1941 by felicityh54

  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

Posted on June 12, 1941 by felicityh54

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

Posted on June 5, 1941 by felicityh54

                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

Posted on June 4, 1941 by felicityh54

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 →

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Camping amid gum trees – and a damn good feed

Posted on May 31, 1941 by felicityh54

    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

Lots of love: a letter from Glasgow, nearly 4 months in transit

Posted on May 30, 1941 by felicityh54

Letter from Billie Laird Billie Laird was the young lady who invited Dad and his friend Graham Watts to her family home in Glasgow on New Year’s Eve, 1940.  ‘The boys’ saw quite a bit of the Laird’s in the … Continue reading →

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Parcels arriving : there must be a move on

Posted on May 22, 1941 by felicityh54

                                          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

Digging for Victory…with troops from all parts of the Empire

Posted on May 17, 1941 by felicityh54

                TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad  17 . 5 . 41   Dear Mother I suppose you know at home that the air mail service has been somewhat dislocated … Continue reading →

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Different pictures in diary and letter; and a dramatic blitz on bugs

Posted on May 13, 1941 by felicityh54

                  (Salvation Army paper with the admonitions: Remember the loved ones far away and write them a message of cheer today – at the top and PLEASE WROTE ON BOTH SIDES at … Continue reading →

Posted in Camps and Barracks, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, organisation, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Could St John predict war’s end? Or maybe Einstein or Pythagoras?

Posted on May 5, 1941 by felicityh54

      TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 5th May 1941 Dear Mother Though still in the same area as when I last wrote you, we – that is the party to which I am for … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, The course of the war, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment