CARR, Leo Mannix VX48402 A Coy [F Force Ponds Party]
Leo Mannix was born on 11 January 1918 in Carlton Victoria. He enlisted in Caulfield on 26 July 1940 and died a prisoner of war on 1 December 1943.
From Our Members
Len Carr, Watsonia
I was given medals, five letters, postcards, three photographs and documents relating to my uncle Leo Mannix Carr, VX48402, who died of illness as a POW in Burma on 1/12/1943. Leo was originally in A. Coy then B. Coy GBD.
The material was held by his only sister Eileen (Nancy) who was single and lived with her mother when Leo died. Leo's father died in 1927, aged 63, and his mother died in 1951, aged 76. His only brother Gerald (my father) died in 1963, aged 54. Eileen married in 1952 and moved interstate. There was one child of her marriage. Eileen died in 2002, aged 89.
The medals and documents were kept private by Eileen and after her death became just part of her possessions, boxed and stored without any interest by her daughter.
After many enquiries by me since 2002, her daughter Bernadette and her husband finally opened the boxes and were stunned and emotionally overwhelmed by the discovery. Bernadette decided as she had no children that the memorabilia should be given to the wider Carr family.
The medals are still in the original wrappings and box. There are five letters from Leo, one from Bonegilla to his Mum, another to his Mum after he arrived in Malaya, two to his sister Nancy after they moved into the jungle and another to his brother Gerald, all from Malaya.
There are three group photos, unfortunately unclear. Three of the names mentioned are Bob DENNETT (VX38210), J. WATTS (VX38501) and Jack CARMICHAEL (VX53475).
View the letters are documents here: VX48402 CARR Leo Mannix
