Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

During World War II, over 30,000 Australians became prisoners of war, with the Japanese capturing over 22,000. One of those taken prisoner by the Japanese was Private John Wilfrid Franklin, who was held in Changi, Singapore and, later, Japan. His family sent him numerous letters, not knowing if he was alive, and it took more than two years for most of them to finally be delivered to him. Those letters were held closely by Private Franklin and have survived to this day.

Now, eighty years on, his 91-year-old niece, Rae-Maree Curtis from Bathurst, has launched a book titled Letters from Home. Maree has carefully preserved the letters, telegrams, photographs, documents and memorabilia from her uncle's time as a prisoner of war. She spent 18 months compiling the information into this book with the help of her son, Matthew Curtis, and the support of the Bathurst RSL sub-branch. The preservation of these letters is not only significant to Maree's family but also contributes to the broader understanding of the human cost of war both for those in captivity and for their loved ones.

I wish to acknowledge and congratulate Maree and Matthew Curtis on this significant and important achievement. I also acknowledge and thank members of the Bathurst RSL sub-branch for their assistance—in particular, John Sutton and his son Owen Sutton. The Australian War Memorial has recognised the significance of the correspondence by accepting it into its official archives. It's vitally important that the sacrifice of those who served our nation in uniform, and the sacrifice of their families, is never forgotten. Lest we forget.

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