Letters from Rachel Cleland to Donald Cleland during World War II,, 1939-1944

Component identifier:

Series 3

Content Summary:

Letters written nearly every week from 1939 to 1941 and each usually six pages long, some much longer. These contain detailed accounts of the life of a war time wife as well as lengthy discussions on world matters and the progress of the war. They are also love letters. Letters during 1942 are fewer and more irregular, and apart from two only in 1944, then peter out. The letters received by Cleland in New Guinea while in ANGAU (1943-1945) have not survived. He probably destroyed them, keeping only two of particular sentiment. Apparently, soldiers in New Guinea were ordered to destroy letters and to not keep diaries in New Guinea if they were in forward fighting areas. Cleland was not, but may have been setting an example for his juniors. (See also MS 9601/Series 2 Dame Rachel Cleland Papers).

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers of Sir Donald Cleland were donated to the Library by Dame Rachel Cleland in 2002.

Names:

Donald Cleland

Contents

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