Summary

Australian Comforts Fund postcard sent from Able Seaman Jack Francis Hurst to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Malval, postmarked 28 December 1944. The card would have accompanied a care package sent by Margaret Malval though the Australian Comforts Fund. On the card Jack thanks Margaret for the parcel and the thoughtful gesture.

Margaret Malval emigrated to the United States of America from Melbourne, Australia in 1935. During World War II she volunteered for the American Women's Voluntary Services and sent packages to Australian soldiers through the Australian Comforts Fund, thereby entering into an exchange of correspondence with a number of Australian soldiers based in the Pacific and in Australia.

Physical Description

Rectangular card with address and sender on front. The card has been postmarked from Sydney and there is a 3d Australian stamp in the top right corner. The back of the card has the Australian Comforts Funds logo, printed green text on the left hand side and a handwritten message in blue ink on the right hand side. There is a purple stamp in the top left hand corner noting that the card has been passed by censors.

Significance

This collection of letters and cards are significant as they illustrate the continuing ties felt by an emigrant to their country of birth. Margaret Malval was born and grew up in Melbourne, Victoria and moved to the United States of America to be married in 1935, where she lived for the rest of her life. Though her husband served in the United States Armed Forces, Margaret chose to send care packages to Australian soldiers through the Australian Comforts Fund, suggesting she retained strong ties to Australia.

These letters and cards were sent from Australian servicemen to Margaret, initially after receiving a care package from her which she donated through the Australian Comforts Fund. These letters and cards highlight the support of people on the home front for Australian servicemen by sending care packages through organisations like the Australian Comforts Fund, and the response of Australian Servicemen on receipt of these packages. Additionally, this collection also helps tell the stories of the frontline experience of Australian servicemen during World War II.

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