Letters of Jack Lusby Burns, 1941-1945 - Part 13

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.35
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

JokohamafAersdron atsugl aencan tro Cros 12th September 1945 My Dears It seems hard to realise that after 3/ years we are actually fe men once again & on to way home Indeps at my camp (Nis1 AS1bETUI HOKKAIDO 1S1AD) are will - they are Wilson, Fraser Goode Killican Denio sself. - The Japs (bless em) during the last month since the show broke have been falling taretors to try do Kings for no They tuned an pygs, buf 1 Baton 716 Hentody milk, flowr, bread (last of days) ar was really amazing the transpination on their part? also during this month we had the freedon of the town & could walk anyoher in pirs- so guards as they were Irdered
aencan tro crw out of camp by General More Arthur's general order at the sunender conperence. The pps hraded us anything to get hold of dothing sop, matthes + cigarittes Iwas a great feeling walking out of camp for the last tim to the trein anorted by a Tremnar figters orhead. Te above happed yeserday (usday yt) We received the order that o were going trose at 9 8.0 Rondey Kight - be ready tmore by midnight Imine at 2.40 AM. Mesday 11h) 4c tentrally moed at 630 sm. by har to an dersdum near Sappors where we slep the sight. He left this drome at 2.: P.M. today offen to pkys arriving here At 3.20 9M. She amr. Red. Bross tuned on "tea for us & I am now fall to replation. He are a presentn
3 avencan no cow waiting the proceased (nedically examined) when we expect to now Do Ckinawara tonegh & tence to Mamla tomorrow thence HOME within 10 days Honderful thought The letter is ay garbled as my thoughts tonigh are in a chastie condition de to excpared ote seeing yank soldiers att lying se to dustal Hase had the trots as tall evenyone due to our food- for the last 2 days here had n0 ruce for which I am very thankful. theeres my dears for the precent I hepe wheat shit letter home sall one never knows Regards Hall relations friends & fonder lave to selver Your Loving San Jack
tintel te t APQ. 500 Gatd sene frve wo bely Mrs. A.R. Burns 1647 Malvein Road past Malvern. S.E.C. austalia Victoria. 201
FaraN M EM
a due to good & regular good. Abrady on have me discurred & laughed over the old tines which we deadly serves the, bet &we een get a good laugh Delmon Freay, Hide Killiean a Denvis and their regarts toe tyon their famlies. Sleeman leant Dison & Page were at Sendai (Honshe Eeles & for they have 10r been reliaad from Y ie as prove ton there we at 3 ton of bar ps cratles a places, liges dely. Met se aust pists les night who left Dangin yesterday. Shad Hem with quations re conditions at Leve & marged t get se Sytrey & Bustare ppers of of mye y have pton about be stage about 3 25 th ngh at mnthe ag was 70 ls uader weight, but and in abolitily on t of the word just h I s t hall for the day oher ca Sherisay Derly in Hle Dut relations paeds p by & her Red Qnaitrs B. Aust PW Kegpton Grayz Manile 15th A 45 Barligs Jual sent a 14 word telegranto you so thought I would follow it up with a letter last wrote to you from Arugi Aerode (mar 1skep) on Wedurday syst last Since then hale floon on a C.46 from sdys to the Chinawara Islands on Thursday pssing over the bombed areas of Jopan dte, Robe agroake & Mortine& the lastle 2 twnoar really in a mess due to the atomer bont Iriday e gotes at 0 hs & flew fom the Okenawars t Clark Field Killissines terce A Nicols field where a present we are houred we flee in a 824 thre met with sothing but kindee uon all peple s have contacted Everyone sens keen to stiff with as much food as a present I lave sable sust paished treatfart and feel preturly
blaated I undustand by have a 24 howr seri ooe at the oess- still mother an looking forard to draving a shair up atour own table & participaliy in a meal with you dad, coskd by you_ you argel to rass of Geoff tercent although has made nunersus enquires whils at Zentrap met Alen Brown (Pelot officer) who was Seoffs navigator on his place when it crasted into the sx prt of New Ireland whlst launeting a tospeds at a Jas ere Geoff, I understand left Rabaul with 16 others to come to gapan in January 1944 also hav to rews of the new from Raboul They left there toghter with the Avilns te 12th June 1942 ar think to go to kinan Tis amezing to see some of the English officers &r tnew at Zentanse & who were shifted to Tohys & Paknske areas the same time as soklards. They look absolatly Liff IIRMA C LETTERCARD N 2 frs 2 L Burker 1647 Maloun Road East Malvun StC Victoria Austraba WM M 91E7 28 e
guaguire Conuently the flor tard of th t ske getty fill a bet Dudy for the last 2 day Manila e t Tetboaa eiat 19th Sept 1945 As you may know Gutsex lamp a dy dears splet up into natiorlalibe in sine of this years His just a question of waiting from to the Engish gausses ace t w36 a billited withl me mo of transport turns up- be byt in this camp we are meeting up with it plas or stip it cant be too soon a fra fute a number of old four dalyroared are the talls told by these people I am concerned, as I am anxious the on Quite a number of other racks marhed he say_ 4 years is too long tbe away from nt th camp thle onr the dutes of orderbis it ones loved one + tio grand ohee a good old Aussn sou People here have ben wonders ah again. d an liying tacumuta kind delling as to muet trouble for them an some pepe tobaces & eigars for you, altog ceting tike a horse & rear set down ta meal on told sigas do ror k very will wihout having a repert I apaid that this in Regards tall friends relations a beers with most of the Ausnes. Hare paton to t since 18th dugest. H is neety fit and fortat lose to selves Cheer around the temory 1y stomach sor of prde Your Loving fon near I wall Jack Yosterday Brigade Drgley sen fr oe He said Auat Hlll had otte him siid he aa ped nrother papiturately PS. Hob tbroadcart tonow to ret of to Lendan Cmsber Island Jep we prt sat down to chat when a call came for Dramn Swrk oy vc flman Pag bin tp sone place He is going seall or later sule porable thy care out by ste
for mny care was very mee of duity sall to write them sbout yours truly Evry day on an issued here 2 ptts aoner eegarettes, 1. 207 ptt of a ptaces of eyar, 1 pht diseuts, 2 ch nats and I cans fer Bindes this at an able to buy 2 ys gin or brendy or whichey for 10 centeos duly He con gt qquarter or ornge duner as nongr or care to drink bary night a picture is sruw usually preceded by a strt staving mrions wa engagments- which are very interesting to as tarine but Welfre alp, ked brn provide readirs matter on whit ie endeavour to catch up with The news which was withheld" from us in Iepance The suppromon of English edition ppers stilla but of seap could always at as a pp p eper which sie of the boys were able to tructal ofet a lass Juve Robertson wh is up here on sone secretarial fob who is engaged to a lad Limt Yock Pitt of Ronyong I see her thots every day for 15 nonths & slept real to fock in fitep during 1912/984 rather here is very hunid &stiety I rain edey cxning & the road & walk seem a JRMAIL LETTERCARD FWSEE Mrs A R. Bains 1647 Malvern Road East Malvein SR6 fictoria, Australia
ecatornrn OCerENT D TELECKAN &352 DARUIN 21 37 OUM 1847 NALUERN BAD EAST NALUEEN VIC SARUTN NOY HONDERNL SEEINS AUSTRALLANS SHPES HOME SOON MYDEST LOUT TO ALL SELUE CHEERIO JACR 11547AOS7 JMEATS SFIISS 6

Yokohama/Aerodrome
Atsugi
12th September 1945.

My Dears,
It seems hard to realise
that after 3½ years we are actually
free men once again & on the way
home

Indeps. at my camp (N is 1
ASIBETU) on HOKKAIDO ISLAND) are
well - they are Wilson, Fraser, Goode
Millican Denis  & self. - The Japs
(bless 'em) during the last month
since the show broke, have been falling
over themselves to try & do things for us.
They tuned on pigs, beef, sugar, eggs
milk, flour, bread← (last 4 days) ∧Put on 7 kilos in 10 days. Twas
really amazing the transformation on their
part. Also during this month we hadxx
the freedom of the town & could walk anywhere
in pairs - NO guards as they were ordered

 

2.
out of camp by General MacArthur's
general order at the surrender conference.
The Japs traded us anything to get hold
of clothing, soap, matches & cigarettes.
'Twas a great feeling walking out of camp
for the last time to the train escorted by
2 Grumman fighters overhead. The above
happened yesterday (Tuesday 11th) - We received
the order that we were going to move at 9 P.M
Monday Night - be ready to move by midnight
& move at 2.40 A.M. Tuesday (11th).  We
eventually moved at 6.30 A.M. by train to
an Aerodrome near Sapporo where we
slept the Night. We left this 'drome at 2. P.M.
today & flew to Yoko Tokyo arriving here
at 5.20 PM. The Amer. Red. Cross
tuned on "tea" for us & I am now
full to repletion. We are at present

 

 3.
waiting to be "processed" (medically examined)
when we expect to move to "Okinawara" tonight
& thence to Manila tomorrow -  thence HOME
within 10 days -  Wonderful thought.
The letter is very garbled as
my thoughts tonight are in a chaotic condition
due to excitement etc seeing yank soldiers
etc &  ^the thought of flying home to Australia.
Have had the "trots", as haves
everyone due to our food - for the last
2 days have had NO rice for which I am
very thankful.
Cheerio my dears, for the present,
-I hope to beat this letter home, Still
one never knows.
Regards to all relations friends
& fondest love & to selves
Your Loving Son
Jack.

 

Front of Envelope- see original document

Lieut. J.L. Burns A.I.F
Recovered Persons Center 
A.P.O. 500,
C/o. P.M. San Francisco, Calif. 
Mrs A.R. Burns, 
1647 Malvern Road, 
East Malvern, S.E. 6
Victoria, Australia

 

Back of Envelope - see original document

 

having put on an amazing amount of weight
due to good & regular food. Already we
have met discussed & laughed over the old
times which we deadly serious then, but now
we can get a good laugh. 

Wilson, Fraser, Goode
Millican & Dennis send their regards & love
to you & their families. Sleeman, Leverett
Dixon & Page were at Sendai (Honshu Island),
& so far they have NOT been released from
Japan i.e. as far ∧as we know.
Here we get 3 cans of beer
plus cigarettes, pipe tobacco, cigars, sweets issued
daily. Met some Aust. pilots last night  
who left Darwin yesterday. Plied them with  
questions re conditions at home & managed 
to get some Sydney & Brisbane papers off of
them.
I myself have put on about 
25 lbs weight - at one stage about 3 
months ago was 70 lbs under weight. But 
now am absolutely on top of the world - just living 
for the day when we can get home. 
Cheerio my darlings - Love to all
relations friends. How's Leline, Dick. -Bye Bye
Your Loving Son.  Jack. 

Head-Quarters 
3. Aust. P.W. 
Reception Group-
Manila. P.I. 
15th Sept '45 
Darlings,  
Just sent a 14 word telegram to 
you so thought I would follow it up with a 
letter. Last wrote to you from Asugi Aerodrome
(near Tokyo) on Wednesday Night last. Since
then have flown on a C.46 from Tokyo to
the Okinawara Islands on Thursday passing
over the bombed areas of Japan Osaka, Kobe
Nagasaki & Hiroshima. The later 2 towns are
really in a mess due to the atomic bomb.
Friday we got up at 0400 hrs & flew from
the Okinawara's to Clark Field - Phillipines. 
Thence to Nicol's Field where at present we
are housed. We flew in a B.24.
Have met with Nothing but kindness
from all people we have contacted. Everyone
seems keen to stuff with as much food as
it is possible to eat. At present I have
just finished breakfast and feel positively

 

2
bloated. I understand they have a 24 hour service
over at the Mess - still mother am looking
forward to drawing a chair up at our own
table & participating in a meal with you &
dad, cooked by you - you angel.
No news of Geoff Vincent although have
made numerous enquiries. Whilst at Zentsuji
met Alan Brown (Pilot Officer) who was
Geoff's navigator on his plan when it
crashed into the sea just off New Ireland
whilst launching a torpedo at a Jap cruiser.
Geoff, I understand left Rabaul with 16
others to come to Japan in January 1944.
Also have No news of the men from Rabaul.
They left there together with the civilians
on the 12th June 1942. We think to go to
Hainan.
'Tis amazing to see some of the
English officers we knew at Zentsuji &
who were shifted to Tokyo & Fukuoka
areas the same time as we went to
Hokkaido. They look absolutely different
(Picture of Air Mail Letter Card - see original document)
Liberated

[[?]]

Mrs A.R. Burns

1647Malvern Road,

East Malvern. SE6

Victoria.  Australia

(various numbers-see original document)

 

quagmire. Consequently the floor boards of the hut
became filthy. Felt a bit seedy for the last 2 days
due to Tetanus & Cholera "shots" or a vaccination. 
As you may know Zentsuji camp was
split up into nationalities in June of this year.
As the English & Aussies are P.O.W's we billeted
together in this camp we are meeting up with
quite a number of old faces. Many & varied
are the tales told by these people.
Quite a number of "other ranks" marched
into the camp to take over the duties of orderlies etc
& 'tis grand to hear a good old Aussie voice
& oath again. Dad am trying to accumulate
some pipe tobacco & cigars for you, although
am told cigars do NOT keep very well.
Regards to all friends relations
and fondest love to selves ___ Cheerio
Your Loving Son

Jack.

PS. Hope to broad cast tomorrow. 

No news of the Sendai - (Honshu Island, Japan)

boys as yet. i.e. Sleeman, Page, Dixon, Leverett.

Quite possible they came out by ship.

Manila
19th Sept 1945

My Dears,
It is just a question of waiting now,
until some sort of transport turns up - be
it plane or ship it can't be too soon as far as
I am concerned, as I am anxious to be on
the way - 4 years is too long to be away from
one's loved ones.
People here have been wond∧erous
kind  - Nothing is too much trouble for them. Am
eating like a horse & never sit down to a meal
without having a repeat. I'm afraid that this is
a failing with most of the Aussies. Have put on
40lbs since 18th August. Its mainly fat
around the tummy.  - My stomach sort of precedes
me as I walk.
Yesterday Brigadier Wrigley
sent for me. He said Aunt Nell had written to 
him. Said he was Fred's brother. Unfortunately
we just sat down to chat when a call came for
him to go some place. He is going to call me later.

 

In any case 'twas very Nice of Aunty Nell to write
to him about yours truly.
Every day we are issued here
2 pkts Amer. cigarettes, 1-2oz pkt of Amer. tobacco
4 cigars, 1 pkt biscuits, 2 choc. sweets and 3 cans
beer. Besides this we are able to buy 2 "nips" of
gin or brandy or whiskey for 10 centavos daily.
We can get "squashes" or orange drinks as many as
we care to drink. Every night a picture is screened
usually preceded by a "short" showing various war
engagements - which are very interest to us. Various
huts- Welfare, A.C.F., Rec Cross provide reading
matter on which we endeavour to catch up with
the news which was "withheld" from us in Japan by
the suppression of English edition papers. Still a
bit of soap could always get us a "Jap." paper which
some of the boys were able to translate.
Met a lass June Robertson who
is up here on some secretarial job who is
engaged to a lad - Lieut Jack Pitt of Kooyong -
I saw her photo every day for 15 months. I slept
next to Jack in Zentsuji during 1943/1944. The
weather here is very humid & sticky. It rains
every evening & the roads & walks become a
(Picture of Air Mail Letter Card - See original document)
Mrs A.R. Burns,

1647 Malvern Road,
East Malvern, S.E. 6

Victoria, Australia.

[* 22 McLeans Rd
Medlands

Perth *]

 

X 552 DARWIN 21 3 P

BURNS     21

1647 MALVERN ROAD EAST MALVERN VIC

DARWIN NOW WONDERFUL SEEING AUSTRALIANS SHORES HOME SOON
FONDEST LOVE TO ALL SELVES CHEERIO
JACK

(1647 AUST ∨RALIANS SELVES )
 62PW 

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