Historical information
"Postal acknowledgement delivery personal"
"It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that VX10044 Sapper G. E. Castledine has been killed in action April 18th & desire to convey to you the profound sympathy of the Minister for the Army and the Military Board.
- Minister for the Army"
Sapper George Ernest Castledine (1914-1941), son of Arthur Frederick and Annie Castledine, enlisted 23 January 1940 at Lower Plenty and was assigned to the 2/2 Field Company. He is buried in the Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens, Greece and is remembered on the Roll of Honour at Eltham.
Significance
George was the first soldier from the Shire of Eltham to be killed in the Second World War.
The telegram is oil stained as it was kept by George's brother Sid in his toolbox.
Physical description
Digital image of original held in private collection of Joan Castledine (niece of George Ernest Castledine and daughter of Sid and Polly (nee Arrowsmith) Castledine).
Inscriptions & markings
Original bears oil stains from being stored in a tool box
References
- 1941 'OBITUARY', Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser (Vic. : 1940 - 1942), 9 May, p. 2 Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser (Vic. : 1940 - 1942), Friday 9 May 1941, page 2 OBITUARY SAPPER G. E. CASTLEDINE Advice has been received of the death in action of Sapper George Ernest Castledine, son of Mrs. A. Castledine of Lower Plenty. Deceased was very well known in the Eltham district, and was engaged to Miss Jean Simonson of Montmorency. This was the first fatal casualty to be reported among those who enlisted from the Eltham Shire.
