John Robertson Hawke was born in Burnbank, Scotland on 17 May 1890. The family emigrated to Australia about 1908 and settled at Balmain, Sydney. John enlisted in the Army on 21 June 1915 and was posted to the 1st Battalion AIF as a signaler. The battalion left Sydney on 8 October 1915 and subsequently served in Egypt, France, Belgium and England. During 1917, Hawke served with the 61st and 62nd Battalions AIF in England. He rejoined the 1st Battalion at Ypres, Belgium in October 1917 and served with that battalion throughout the remainder of the war. J.R. Hawke died in Australia in 1965. This collection comprises some 200 letters written by Hawke to his parents and family during World War I The subjects of the letters include comments on army life and the effect of the war on civilian life in Europe and Britain. The letters also contain references to family matters and acquaintances. |
