KING ISLAND RSL SUBBRANCH
When it comes to our island supporting the nation during times of crisis, we have batted way above the average but also knew the value of independence.
Not only did many islanders enlist, but others at home joined the Volunteer Defence Corps and supported a Comfort Fund. This fund would have been forgotten if it was not for the generosity of the Marshall family and a team of four women who have preserved the memory of 130 service personnel who wrote 500 thank you letters.
Throughout times of war, families knew the importance of sending letters and parcels to the front, in the days before digital transmissions. Les Stansfield, a post-World War 2 Soldier Settler, when writing to a friend prior to enlisting, noted, ‘Please don’t forget that a letter is worth its weight in gold, so make it as long as you can. Being so far from anywhere we all rush for the post, once a day, to see if one of us has a letter.’
The Federal Government set overall control of funds through the National Security (Patriotic Funds) Regulations, while Tasmania set up the Patriotic Funds Board in Hobart. King Island sought independence from Hobart, tried once, and was knocked back, so tried again
The slightly edited letter written by Mr John (Jack) Marshall on 24 August 1940 provides an excellent insight into the island during the early years of the war and how the fund was organised, noting that the first parcels were sent in November 1939.
Dear Sir,
Re: King Island War Service Fund
I asked Mr Michie, treasurer of the above Fund, to write to you on the 9th re the Registration of our Fund with the National Security Regulations. Mr Michie has received your reply, dated the 20th. I note your desire that we should consider the advisability of becoming a branch of The Australian Comforts Fund. My Committee have considered this matter very fully, and after full discussion desire to maintain a “personal touch” with the men who enlist from this Island, but at the same time to assist The Australian Comforts Fund from time to time as Funds will permit, by sending to The North-Western Sub-Division, Donations in Cash, we have already sent £25 last April, and have forwarded seven cases of Books to the Headquarters of the Branch at Hobart; it is our intentions at our next Meeting to allot a further amount to The Australian Comforts Fund.
We had some correspondence with Mr A.H. Marshall, Hon Secretary of The North-Western Sub-Division on the matter last June, he mentioned that he was pleased to find that a such alive organisation was doing such good work on the Island. I might point out as President of the local Sub-Branch of the R.S.L. I started the War Service Fund before any “Australian Comforts Fund” was started in Tasmania. The Committee of the Sub-Branch, with the addition of six Ladies are the Executive Committee of our War Service Fund, we have a separate Bank Account, and Receipts are given for all moneys collected. The Island is divided into six Districts, with a small Committee of Ladies in each District, a member for each District sitting on the Executive Committee with the Committee of the Sub-Branch of R.S.L. We pack parcels each month for the men in Camp, and also for those Abroad, we have received many letters of appreciation from the men for parcels received.
Many ladies are working hard to keep the supply of socks, scarves etc. up, I am quite convinced that the same support would not be forthcoming if all the work had to be forwarded to the main branch of The Australian Comforts Fund, it is the “personal touch” with the local men from the Island in the Forces that appeals.
Our position here is rather different from the Districts on the Mainland, the fact that we are an Island and that as I have pointed out it is our intention to assist The Australian Comforts Fund with donations of Cash & Books as Funds permit.
I appeal to you on account of the work already done by our War Service Fund, and the fact that we are well organised, that we should be eligible to be registered under the National Security (Patriotic Funds) Regulations.
John (Jack) Marshall
24 August 1940
Jack was a fighter for his island, said what he believed in, and most importantly won his case – the King Island Comfort Fund remained independent from Hobart. Marshall was a World War 1 veteran and served in the artillery in the Middle East and Western front. He was also active in municipal matters as well as the RSL but was not immune from tragedy. On 2 August 1942, he received the ‘dreaded’ Telegram from the Minister of the Army informing him that his son Private J. E. Marshall had died on 23 July in the Middle East.
Jack and his wife Alice, supported by their island team, did a superb job and sent out parcels far afield. The hampers could include a wide variety of items such as razor blades, soap, boot polish, balaclava, tobacco, cigarettes, mittens, socks, stockings, coffee, tinned fruit, condensed milk, chocolates, nuts and raisins, toothpaste, handkerchiefs, cake, Christmas pudding, books, magazines, talcum powder and monetary orders. It was not only islanders who received parcels. Trooper John Arkley-Smith, serving in the 2/4th Tank Regiment, found time to write a note of thanks on 6 January 1945:
Dear Mesdames,
This is just a short note to express my appreciation and thanks for the Xmas hamper you sent, and which arrived yesterday. Although the parcels arrived a little late, it did not distract in any way from the pleasure of receiving them.
I wish you all the happiness in the coming year, and once again, thanks a million.
Yours Sincerely
John Arkley-Smith
The great thing about the parcels was that the receiver would share them with mates which spread the word about the wonderful King Island Comfort Fund. Sadly, John died six months later on Bougainville, just before Japan surrendered. His letter is now also of immense value to his family, as are all the documents. The person could not disclose their location when writing but now that more Service records are available online, we can find out where the person was and there is often a photograph of the person.
Some of the letters are very brief while others are full of information, particularly by those who wrote regularly. A selection of writers with some still having an island connection include Barnes, Bertram, Birch, Bowling, Burkett, Cheese, Curbishley, Enniss, Fisher, French, Graham, Lancaster, Milsom, Misson, Percy, Thow, Wilshire and Yeomans.
Through the generosity of the late Sylvia Ransley, the Comfort Fund collection was donated to the RSL Sub-branch. The collection has now been transcribed by a team led by Ann Ghazarian, supported by Ann Honess, Sophie Thorn, and Trish Clemons. The Sub-branch is truly appreciative of their work over the last ten years, as should the community.
Not only have all the documents survived but also Mr Marshall’s personal case and records.
The events on 11 July, commemorate the 80 years since the Beaufort Bomber A9-352 and the four Pilots Officers crew crashed on approach to the King Island aerodrome and commences with the ceremony at the Cemetery at 11 am. Additionally, there will be a community presentation on the King Island World War 2 Comfort Fund commencing in the Town Hall at 7.30 pm. This will include a visual presentation and all the letters in archived covers will be on display. Please note that due to the fragility of the letters, it will not be possible to handle them, but private viewings can be arranged at a later date. Visitors are also most welcome to attend both events.
The evening will conclude with light refreshments and a gold coin donation. This is an opportunity to remember and view rare King Island historical artifacts and letters of national significance. If you would like further information, please contact the Sub-branch Secretary, Margaret Bennett on 0429 646 211.