Charles Fry and Beryl Smith correspondence

Photographs of Charles Fry, pilot with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and prisoner of war during the Second World War, and of his wedding to Beryl Smith. Charles and Beryl were married soon after his release in September 1945.

[Items 31299/1, 31299/28-29, 31299/53 and 31299/98-31299/100]

Greeting cards sent by Charles Fry while serving overseas during the Second World War.

[Items 31299/7, 31299/20 & 31299/52]

Certificates issued in relation to the service of Charles Fry with the Royal Australian Air Force prior to and during the Second World War.

[Items 31299/3, 31299/24 and 31299/4]

This series contains letters and telegrams principally written by Charles Fry to Beryl Smith. The earliest was sent from No. 1 Flying Training School, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Point Cook, Victoria and later from Royal Air Force (RAF) Stations, Leuchars, Scotland and Biggin Hill, Kent, England. Charles Fry was granted a 'short service' Commission with the RAF where he trained as a fighter pilot.

[Items 31299/6, 31299/21-23, 31299/25-27, and 31299/30-32]

Letters in this series are chiefly from Charles Fry who was serving with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in England and the Middle East prior to the war with Germany. Posted to the re-formed 112 Squadron which was initially based at RAF Helwan, Cairo, and later over the Sudan, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant. In November Charles proposed to Beryl Smith and sent her a cheque to buy an engagement ring; she accepted his offer.

[Items 31299/33-42 and 31299/103]

Letters and telegrams in this series follow the joyful news of Charles' and Beryl's engagement; their plans to be together in Egypt; the build up of troops in the Middle East, and the realisation that it would not be safe or possible for her to join him.

[Items 31299/43-50, 31299/92 and 31299/104-106]

This series principally contains letters (copies) which were sent by Beryl Smith to Charles Fry, who after being reported missing in May 1941 was located in prisoner of war transit camp at Gougi, Athens. Later that year Charles Fry was moved to Oflag XXC a camp for officers, in Lubeck, in northern Germany. 

Beryl begins a long series of letters in which she often repeats news, not knowing whether any or all of them will be received by Charles. Periodically Charles is allowed to sent brief postcards to Beryl advising her of his health and well being. Many of the letters took up to three months to reach Australia. It is not known how many letters actually reached Charles while he was interned.

[Items 31299/51, 31299/54-60 and 31299/107-115]

Letters in this series are principally written by Beryl Smith to her fiance Charles Fry a prisoner of war of the Germans.

During 1942 Fry was moved from Oflag VI-B southwest of Dossel, to Stalag Luft III, near the town of Sagan (now in Poland). Later that year he was transferred Oflag XXI-B, at Szubin, Poland. Beryl received a number of brief notes from Charles which she has copied perhaps to share with family. Charles kept note of how many and the dates of the letters he has received.

[Items 31299/61-71 and 31299/116-147]

This series contains letters written by Charles Fry from German prisoner-of-war camps in Poland to his fiance Beryl Smith. The letters are brief and constantly refer to the delay in receiving them, some up to 8 months old. Beryl was active in sending books to Charles and his fellow prisoners to pass the time, and photographs of his family to remind him of home.

From September 1942 - April 1943 Charles Fry was interned at Oflag XXIB, located at Szubin, then in April 1943 he was returned to Stalag Luft III, at Sagan (now in Poland), south-east of Berlin, where he remained until being liberated in May 1945.

[Items 31299/72-80 and 31299/148-168]

This series contains letters written by Charles Fry from a German prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III located at Sagan, to his fiance Beryl Smith. He writes of how delighted he is to receive her mail, and that many of them are more than 3 months delayed.

[Items 31299/81-89, 31299/102 and 31299/169-184]

This series of letters and telegrams relate the happy news of Charles Fry's release from captivity. After arriving in England, Charles attended an event at Buckingham Palace in June, where he was awarded the Greek Flying Cross by King George VI. It was not until September that Charles was reunited with his family and bride to be Beryl Smith, who by then was secretary to the Minister for Defence, John 'Jack' Beazley. Charles was warmly welcomed when he arrived at RAAF Bradfield Park Station on the morning of 8 September 1945.

[Items 31299/2, 31299/5, 31299/8-16 and 31299/185-198]

This series contains military papers and statements relating to the service of Flight Lieutenant Charles Fry during the First World War.

• Statement of special force deferred pay.
• Statement of account
• Personal effects of Flight Lieutenant C. H. Fry (40047) (a list of possessions left in England, then shipped to Australia after the war)
• Special tobacco ration for ex-service personnel
• Petrol tickets document issued to Charles Fry

[Items 31299/93-31299/97]