Historical information

William 'Bill' Leo Larkin (b. 19.09.1898) was born in Hawthorn (Vic). [His World War I enlistment papers give details of the Hawthorn birthdate, as well as Ballarat, but his birth records state his birth as Hawthorn). After leaving St Patrick's College in Ballarat in 1917, he enlisted in the army serving in England and France. At the time of his enlistment in the army in the Second World War (17 April 1940), he was recorded as living in Kew. His service number was VX11459. The Sands & McDougall Directory of 1938 gives his address as 31 Fernhurst Grove. In the army he served in the Middle East and in New Guinea. He was to attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1942. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) in 1946. Enlistment Presentation Wallets were presented by the City of Kew from 1940 to men who enlisted in the war. Typically, these wallets are dated 1939, even though the enlistment may have occurred at a later date.

Significance

Memento presented to citizens of Kew (vic.) on enlistment

Physical description

Rectangular brown leather single fold wallet with eight internal pockets. The front includes an embossed City of Kew logo and the words ‘Presented by the Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Kew to W. L. Larkin on Enlistment for Active Service Abroad, 1939'.