Morris Hawkins collection

The diary covers Morris Hawkins' service in the front lines during the First World War. Hawkins, who was reported missing in April 1918 and later listed as prisoner of war was held in a German prisoner of war camp in Valenciennes in Northern France.

The diary contains a chronology (16 October to 1 November) of Morris Hawkins' movements in 1918 when he was held as a prisoner of war. There is also one page at the back of the diary in which he discusses his return to London, after being repatriated as a prisoner of war, on 25 November 1918.

Newspaper clipping of a photograph of Queensland troops enjoying the snow: Privates Fred Cecil (Woolooga),  Alec Mills (Springsure), Morris Hawkins (Mowbray, Central Railway), Lionel Ridgway (Brisbane), and Robert Middleton (Manyun).  The photograph was published in "The Queenslander", 7 July 1917.

The clipping was contained in Diary 1, Item 210

Handwritten segment from the poem "The Bivouac of the Dead" by Theodore O'Hara. 

This item was contained in Diary 1, Item 210

This diary covers Morris Hawkins' internment as a prisoner of war of the Germans in Valenciennes, Northern France, up to his release after the Armistice on 11 November 1918.

The diary also includes a list of the men of No.4 Section, No.2 Platoon, 47th Australian Infantry Battalion, with notations against those who were killed or taken prisoner.

The diary covers Morris Hawkins' leave in England and Scotland; embarkation on the S.S. Tunisian on 31 January for Canada and America; sightseeing in Canada and the United States of America; embarkation on the ship Ventura for Sydney (8 April 1919); an account of the voyage; his arrival in Sydney (29 April); activities in Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

The diary also includes detailed accounts of various places that he visited including - Omaha, Nebraska; San Francisco, California; St John, Canada; Montreal, Canada; Buffalo, New York State; Niagara Falls; Chicago, Illinois.

Military Pass issued to Lance Corporal Morris Hawkins of the 47th Infantry Battalion for the period 28 December 1918 to 3 January 1919.

The item was contained in Diary 3, Item 214

Studio portrait of Aube Kathleen Jessie Donaldson (1895-1991), who later married Morris Hawkins in 1921.

The item was contained in Diary 3, Item 214

Photograph of Morris Hawkins, Amy Castles and Mrs Bowden on board the ship S.S. Ventura on the voyage from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia. Amy Eliza Castles (1880-1951) was a well-known Australian opera singer with an international career.

The item was contained in Diary 3, Item 214

Photograph of Miss Amy Castles (1880-1951), Martin Rolfe (right), and Morris Hawkins, on board the ship S.S. Ventura on the voyage from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia.

Inscribed on reverse by Morris Hawkins: 'Wild times' S.S. Ventura.  Miss A. Castles, M. Rolfe, M. Hawkins.
Private Martin Victor Rolfe (service no. 3903) was a grazier from Springsure, Queensland.  He enlisted on 17 August 1915 and served with the 9th Infantry Battalion. Amy Castles (1880-1951) was an Australian opera singer who was attached to the Opera House in Vienna before the war.

The item was contained in Diary 3, Item 214

Photograph of Amy Eliza Castles (top), Morris Hawkins and Mrs E. Bowden, on board the ship S.S. Ventura on the voyage from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia. 

The item was contained in Diary 3, Item 214

Photograph of Father Neptune on board the ship S.S. Ventura, to celebrate crossing the equator.

The item was contained in Diary 3, Item 214

Photograph of Sir Harry Lauder, a passenger on the ship S.S. Ventura travelling from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia.

The item was contained in Diary 3, Item 214

Various unidentified photographs and loose notes which were contained in Diary 3, Item 214.

Book of lecture notes written by Lance Corporal Morris Hawkins while attending the School of Musketry, Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire, England, while attached to the 47th Infantry Battalion.

The notebook also contains loose handwritten notes regarding a lecture entitled "Fire action" by Lieutenant Thorburn M.C. (military cross) as well as typewritten notes concerning Fire instructions & Muscle exercises, and A sequence: aiming instructions.

Small notebook containing addresses for contacts in Australia, Great Britain, Canada and America.  The notebook also includes instructions for morse code and lists of mail sent by Morris Hawkins.

Address book belonging to Morris Hawkins for contacts in England, Australia, Canada and America.

Photograph of Australian soldiers on a troopship captioned 'Mess Orderlies line up'.

The photograph was contained in the Address book, Item 226

Two copies of the final statement of account for Morris Hawkins which includes his army pay, deferred pay and war service leave gratuity.  Also included is a covering letter from the Australian Military Forces, 1st Military District, District Pay Office, Victoria Barracks, Brisbane.

Receipt for a passport issued to Morris Hawkins upon his return to Australia in 1919.  Under the provisions of the War Precautions Regulations 1915 everyone arriving in Australia were required to hand their passports to the Customs Officer at the time of landing.

Certificate of discharge issued to Lance Corporal Morris Hawkins, by the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force.

Identity card issued to Morris Hawkins of Bogantungan, Queensland, during the Second World War. All Australians were issued with a personal identity card during this time and it was a requirement that any changes of address be reported to the government. The cards were important in the identification and monitoring of non-citizen residents.

Souvenir of Anzac Day 25th April 1915 which features a poem by Charles Henry Souter "The Toast! For Anzac Day".

Overseas Military Forces of Canada Cheerio Songs. A collection of 43 song lyrics compiled by the Canadian Y.M.C.A., Autumn Issue, 1918.  The item is inscribed by Morris Hawkins "S.S. Lusitania, February 3rd 1919. A.I.F. (3242)".  It is also signed by Private Harry Bruce Kyle, 2012, 16th Battalion Aust. Imp. Forces.

Points of Interest in Honolulu. Tourism card produced by Thos. Cook & Son, Steamship Agents, 515 South Spring St., Los Angeles.  The card includes information about the ships S.S. Sonoma, S.S. Ventura, and S.S. Sierra, as well as a list of points of interest in Honolulu, Hawaii.

San Francisco Welcome Home Ribbon. The ribbon is printed with the seal of the city and county of San Francisco and bears the words "The people of San Francisco welcome you home".

San Francisco Chapter Red Cross welcome home ribbon.

Drawing of Lance Corporal Morris Hawkins (centre) with his "Canadian Pal" and "English Pal", signed by the artist, E. Rolls Davies, Omaha, Nebraska, Feb.28.1919.

Tourism Brochure for Castley's Souvenir Shop, Launceston, Tasmania. The brochure features the poem "Tasmania, The Wonderland" by Alfred Waterworth, and the lyrics of a song "Memory Island" sung to the tune "Galway Bay".

Small booklet for enlisted men regarding hospitality and recreation facilities, clubs, and points of interest in San Francisco, California.  Published by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Third Edition, September 1, 1918.

An Appreciation from Henry C. Lytton & Sons, North East Corner Jackson & State Streets. Chicago.
Pamphlet for American returned servicemen containing World War I data: notable days of the war, history of important battles in which American troops participated, several pages of maps, strength and leadership of many American divisions, forms for the owner to record personal data, notes on companies and divisions with Chicago soldiers.

"Character and Conduct: A Book of Helpful Thoughts by Great Writers of Past and Present Ages" Liverpool, England: Henry Young & Sons, 1910.  The book is inscribed "To the best of friends. Morris [Hawkins] from Essie. Christmas 1918".

"Being and Doing: A Selection of Helpful Thoughts from Various Authors, Arranged for Daily Reading" by Constance M. Whishaw, Liverpool, England: Edward Howell, 1910.