PHENNA

COLLECTION

Leslie George Phenna was an Australian infantryman of three wars. He first served during the Second World War between 1941 and 1945, seeing service in the Southeast Pacific. He discharged from the army in 1945 but would reenlist during the Korean War. Phenna arrived in Korea with 2RAR following the ceasefire, and although he didn't see combat, he took part in the ongoing garrison duties for about a year. Finally, now a sergeant, Phenna deployed to Malaya in 1957 with 3RAR and for 2 years was involved with the Commonwealth fighting against communist rebels.

The following photographic collection is vast and covers all three of Mr. Phenna's wars.

Second World War

1941 - 1945

"Another of the twisted remains of trucks"

"The '##### float' bridge that we put across the Georges River. Not bad eh? Of course not quite as good as the causeway"

"Our bridge again"

"Corporal Bull in the latest in airconditioned 'ladders' (Reading his mail too)"

"Len Phenna, Qld 1944"

"Smithy had just told me a beauty when this was taken"

"The section about to cross the river floating their clothes in groundsheets"

"Notice the ragged terrain we live in, darling"

Korean War

1953 - 1954

Japan - Pre Deployment Training (Some post deployment)

Itsukushima Shrine, Japan

"Sacreo White Horse

Miya-Jiam Japan '54"

"Taken at Hiroshima

Atomic City Japan '54

Terrible photo isnit?"

"The convoy of trucks that took us from Hiro Camp to Horamura Battle School"

"Yours truly firing the Bren Machine Gun during the river crossing by the bridge. (Note the G**k cap, latest fashion from Billy Gladslone)

Thats my 'pup' tent at the back"

"The 'Hallowed Ground" 25th C.I.B School Paraded Square at the course"

South Korea

"The good ship?? Wo-sang which we sailed on from Japan to Korea"

"Taken at Pusan (Korea)

These photos were taken with my own camera (£ 1 worth)

Will you start putting these in a new section of our album darling, in fact any I've sent you since leaving Australia"

"Taken en-route to Tuc-chon from Pusan on UN troop train. Note I have my watch on this time darling"

"A South Korean boy carrying a load of sticks on his back, some load eh?"

"Two South Korean Lasses, Taken on the road leaving the UN Cemetery Pusan"

"As we disembarked from the UN troop train. Tuc-chon Railhead, Korea"

"Seoul city American PX

Korea,1953"

"The old fort, Seoul. Supposedly 400 years old

Korea, 53"

"Don't look now, but that guy is really me! (Wardrobe by courtesy of John L. Sullivan)

"Ceasare" and Jock McCallister. B Company 2RAR Korea"

"Ceasr' B Company mascot, 2RAR Korea"

"B Company Ord room 'Peace Area', Korea '54"

"Jesse in an action shot on the volleyball court. B Coy, 2-Bn. Other guy is Sgt Greby"

"Charlie looking across our position, Korea '53"

"No.3 Sections morning break. 4pl B Coy 2-Bn. Kansas Line, Korea '53"

"Sun-Sock-Don on top. Looking at yours truly, swinging a pick, up on the 'Kansas Line'. I'm assisting in the digging of a communication trench"

"Some of the guys attending the Snr NCO Course. Notice the Aussie hats back to front, this negative was printed in reverse"

"COs 'Uchi' 25 CND.Inf.Bde NCOs School. Ui-Jong-Bi Korea'53

Major A. T. E. Fairwether MC"

25 CND.Inf.Bde NCOs School., Korea'53

Self and Clp Selva (3Bn)"

"1 Canuck and 5 Pommies on the course, Korea '53

The fellow 3rd from the right topped the course"

"Brigadier Finley, the new Australian Military Forces Company Commander (left), during his tour of the Division, visited the Canadian NCOs School. Here he chats with three Australian soldiers doing the current course. They are: Corporal Len Phenna (2RAR), Corporal Keith Ewald (2RAR) and Corporal Tony Selva (3RAR)."

Australian War Memorial

Farewell group.

Pusan, Korea 54'

2bn says goodbye to Brig. Woolten

Korea 54'

B Coy 2Bn on Parade

Korea 54'

On the ridge

Australia

1955 - 1957

Beaut' legs aren't they?

It was quite an effort to keep my balance.

Dune on the steps of the War Memorial Hyde Park

"Johnny" QI (Thats me on the left)

Malaya

1957 - 1959

Meeting Brig. H G Mogg

Dear Pat & Family

I have been up in the Cameron Highlands for three days, on leave., I was going to post this from up there but as it was election day in Pahang, the post office was closed, so I've brought this down to K/K with me to post it here, hence the Pahang State stamp and "snowball" envelope. It was very nice at the Highlands and a very pleasent cool change, I will tell you more about it in a later letter.

Love from Dad xxxx