Cole, William Walter (Warrant Officer, b.1924 - d.2013) Accession Number: AWM2019.380.3

Description

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 419956 Warrant Officer William Walter Cole, Royal Australian Air Force, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Egypt, Italy, 1943-1945.

Wallet 1 of 3 - Consists of two folders containing letters sent during Cole's training with the Royal Australian Air Force in Australia and the United States.

Folder 1 of 2 consists of 20 letters, sent between 26 February and 27 June 1943, from Cole to his mother and siblings, Ian and Margaret. He discusses the different aircraft types that he operates, his training drills, and exams. He also speculates about whether or not he will pass the course, discusses the weather, and writes of his activities during his leisure time and leave.

Folder 2 of 2 consists of seven letters addressed from Cole to his mother and siblings, three diary entries written by Cole, and one postcard to Cole’s mother from the Jewish Welfare Board, all of which are dated between 2 September and 7 October 1943. In his letters and diary entries, Cole writes about his sea journey from Australia to the United States including his morning duties, leisure activities, first impressions of the United States and the transport network there. He also writes about his leisure activities during his leave in New York. The postcard from the Jewish welfare board informs Cole’s mother of his good health and fine spirit.

Wallet 2 of 3 - Consists of two folders containing various pieces of communication between Cole and his family during his training and service with the Royal Australian Air Force in England, Egypt, and Italy.

Folder 1 of 2 consists of 101 airgraphs and four letters addressed from Cole to various family members, and one airgraph addressed from Jan [Cole’s relative] to Cole's parents, dated between 18 October 1943 and 15 October 1944. Cole writes of his lectures and exams, the various camps in which he stays, his travels around the United Kingdom and Egypt, and his leisure activities.

Folder 2 of 2 consists of 33 letters addressed from Cole to various family members between 6 November 1944 and 4 September 1945, one journal maintained by Cole between 3 January and 17 April 1945, and one airgraph from Reverend [Robert Edward] Davies to Cole’s mother dated 24 March 1945. Cole writes of his service in the Middle Eastern, experiences and operational service in Italy, being appointed to No. 450 Squadron, and Victory Day in Europe. In the diary, Cole maintains regular entries about his daily duties, operational flights, and leisure activities during his service in Italy.

Wallet 3 of 3 - Consists of two folders containing identification documents, operational logbook and booklets, and various ephemera kept by Cole during his service with the RAAF.

Folder 1 of 2 consists of one flying logbook maintained by Cole during his service with the RAAF. It contains entries between 18 January 1943 and 7 August 1945 and includes notes about the aircraft flown, pilot/s, operation carried out, and a list of the units with which Cole served.

Folder 2 of 2 consists of two RAAF identification documents, one photograph of Cole, one Member’s Pay Book, one Pilot’s Engine Running Notes booklet, one Pilot’s Notes General booklet, one Instructions to Observers booklet, one Certificate of Service and Discharge, one Desert Air Force Fly Past programme, one Rockefeller Centre and Radio City pamphlet, one Domain of Neptune Rex card, one No. 450 Squadron emblem, one No. 450 Squadron dinner menu, and one letter from Fred Mackay, a RAAF chaplain to the families of servicemen with an inscription by Cole.

Details

Conflicts

• Second World War, 1939-1945

Places

• Green-Wood Cemetery

Units

• No. 450 Squadron

Tags

• Rodeos
• Letters
• Paybooks
• Souvenirs
• Civilian transportation