Historical information

One of several letters sent to Mrs M MacDonald of Grey Street Wangaratta by soldiers during the second world war. This one is from Private Peter Alan ANDERSON VX 33905 Born 17/2/1910 Enlisted 21/2/1941 Served with 2/24th and 2/29th Battalions Prisoner of War - B Force / Japanese
Died 25/2/1945 due to illness in Borneo - Labuan Memorial Malaya - POW No 282

Significance

Victoria's 2/24th Infantry Battalion was raised in Wangaratta in July 1940. They were welcomed with open arms by the local community as they rapidly built up their numbers. The people of Wangaratta adopted the Battalion and they became known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. Many of the soldiers maintained life long friendships with the people of Wangaratta. Even though the Battation was disbanded in 1946 members and their families return each year, in November, for a commemorative service at the 2/24th Battalion Memorial Wall at the Wangaratta Cemetery.

Physical description

Cream paper envelope with censor stamp and sticker

Inscriptions & markings

Top left - By air mail
Left side - AIF Censor stamp and sticker along fold "Opened by Censor"
Right side - Mrs M MacDonald "Monald" 32 Grey Street Wangaratta Victoria Australia
Rear VX33905 Pte P Anderson R.O.D A.I.F Malaya