Axel Henning Anderson papers

This series of correspondence consists principally of letters and telegrams sent by Flight Sergeant Axel Anderson, service no. 404159 who served with RAAF and RAF during the Second World War.

The letters begin in June 1940 at the training camp in Lindfield, NSW (RAAF Bradfield Park) where he remained until departing Australia at the end of October for Ottawa, Canada. Anderson was one of 28,000 Australians who took part over three years in the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS).

In June 1941 he wrote from Gloucester, England where he finished his training, and in October 1941 from the Middle East, where he was attached to 11 Squadron (RAF). 

[Items M434/1 to M434/58]

This series of correspondence consists principally of letters and telegrams sent by Flight Sergeant Axel Anderson, service no. 404159 who served with RAAF and RAF during the Second World War.

The letters begin in January 1942 when Anderson was part of 1437 Western Desert Strategic Reconnaissance Flight (1437 W.D. Strat/R Unit RAF) with which he remained until his death 23 April 1943, age 24.

Also included are: several letters of condolence, one from fellow airman Bill Johnson, of 203 Squadron RAF, Middle East; letters & photographs from the Directorate of War Graves Services; and a letter from Mr Henson who enclosed 3 photographs of Axel Anderson's grave taken in 1978. The photographs can be seen in Series xx Photographs

Several letters that cannot be removed from the original sticky back pages have been included in a separate folder. They include one from Nurse D.G. Thorpe, of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS), 8th Army who cared for Axel when he was brought into No.3 Casualty Clearing Station suffering from severe burns received when his aircraft crashed.

[Items M434/59 to M434/125]

This series is a small collection of greeting cards, and letter cards sent by Flight Sergeant Axel Anderson who served with the RAF and RAAF during the Second World War.

[Items M434/126 to M434/127]

This series contains a folder of newspaper clippings relating to the RAAF and Axel Anderson during the Second World War.

It also includes a photocopied magazine article titled 'Eyes of the army' describing the work of the Strategic Reconnaisance Flight Unit (Strat-R men). The article which also contains photographs was published in 'Parade' no.134, vol.11 6 March 1943.

[Items M434/128 to M434/129]

This series includes: a number of black and white photographs taken by and including Axel Anderson prior to leaving for overseas; while in training Canada and England; with friends and colleagues; places of interest in the Middle East, and aircraft.

Included are several photographs of Axel Anderson's gravesite in Tunisia.

[Items M434/130 to M434/134]

This series consists of postcards, postcard booklets and view-letter-cards, sent by Axel Anderson to his parents while on active service overseas during the Second World War. They feature places of interest in Canada, England and the Middle East, some include messages on the reverse.

They include:

• Souvenir of Royal Canadian Air Force
• Souvenir of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Postcard booklet of Cornwall sights
• Empty folder which contained 18 views of Tel-Aviv
• Postcard booklet of Cornwall sights, sent to the parents of Axel Anderson
• Sequence of political wartime cartoons in the form of a foldout booklet, in English and Arabic
• 6 View letter card of Edinbugh. Valentine series.
• Empty folder which contained 10 views along the lines of the Canadian National Railways
• 12 View letter card of London's Military Life. Valentine series.
• 6 View letter card of building of the Forth Bridge. Valenitine series.
• Postcards depicting sights of Canada visited by Axel Anderson.
• Postcards showing the sights of London, Cambridge, Huntington and Malta.
• Postcards showing selected views of Tel-Aviv, with folder.
• Postcards showing sights and scenes of the Middle East. 
• Cards individually posted by Axel Anderson, showing views of Auckland, and Gibraltar. 

[Items M434/135 to M434/149]

This series consists of poems collected and or written by Axel Anderson. 

• Extract, 1 sheet 2 pages. Annotated 'by S/L [Squadron Leader] Houghton, told to him by W/C Al Bocking, late C.O. XI Squadron' extracted from "They flew through sand" an XI Squadron song.
• Typed sheet, 3 poems: The Summer Sea; Summer Night; The Angelus Bells. Annotated 'written by Axel not long before he went away'.

[Item M434/150]

This series includes souvenir postcards, cartoons, tourist guides, Andersons's RAAF identity card with photograph and the King's commemorative scroll to honour his service and death in the Second World War.

• Propaganda bank notes. Two examples of fake [propaganda] Bank of England notes issued by the enemy in the Middle East during the Second World War.
• Official guide to Windsor Castle the town and neighbourhood of Windsor. Autographed by some of the Ladies in Waiting and the Guide.
• Printed calendar for services scheduled in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle for the month of June, 1941.
• Pencel sketch of an aeroplane battle, signed by E. Harris.
• Certificate or Commemorative Scroll issued in the name of Axel Anderson to honour his service and sacrifice.
• Gezira Sporting Club, official race card for the meeting held 27 December 1941.
• RAAF Identity card for Axel Anderson, with photograph, issued while stationed in Uxbridge, England.
• Card of sympathy from the King and Queen, Buckingham Palace on the death of Axel Anderson.
• Published photograph of Flight Lieutenant Charles Adcock of 11 Squadron RAF.
• Certificate of Canadian War Savings in the name of Axel Anderson.
• Four souvenir tickets: wo are for entry to cinemas, two are for bus or tram journeys.
• Performance program for a pantomine 'Cinderella afloat' performed for troops on board HMS Queen Elizabeth.
• Program for a performance entitled 'George & Margaret' presented by the N.A.A.F.I. (Navy Army Air Force Institutes) in the Middle East
• Illustrated order of service card for Christmas Eve, at Robertson Church, Edmonton, Alberta in 1940
• Illustrated cardboard bookmark of the 'Resident's Lodge, Queens College, Cambridge.
• Autographed menu for the 'Farewell Dinner' held on board RMS 'Awatea'.
• Autographed menu for a meal served at No.2 Air Observer School, Royal Canadian Air Force, Edmonton, Alberta
• Autographed menu and graduation photograph for a celebratory dinner held for 'B' Flight graduation dinner, at Macdonald Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta.
• Illustrated menu for lunch served on the Canadian Pacific Railway
• Illustrated menu for breakfast served on the Canadian Pacific Railway
• Note written in Arabic, souvenired by Axel Anderson while serving in the Middle East.
• Autographed greeting card advertising 'New Star Restaurant and Buffet-Bar', Cairo.
• Mounted souvenir leaf from the trees of the Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem.

[Items M434/151 to M434/173]