Philip John Fahey Correspondence

Résumé du livre

Philip John Fahey was born in Brisbane, Queensland, on 11 February 1899, being the son of Philip Fahey and Emily, nee Kelly. He had two brothers, : James Patrick born in 1900 and William born in 1896. Their mother, Emily, died in 1910. In 1913, their father married Maude Day and the couple had one daughter, Phylis Irene Fahey born in 1914. She was known as Eileen. Some of the letters in the collection are written to Maude and make reference to Eileen who is also referred to as 'baby'. Philip's older brother, William Fahey who is also mentioned in the letters, served during World War i in 41st Battalion. William rose to the rank of sergeant and was awarded the Military Medal. Philip John Fahey enlisted for service in World War I in Brisbane on 4 September 1916. He recorded his occupation as bedstead fitter and was assigned to the 9th Battalion. His unit embarked from Brisbane on the troopship "Marathon" on 27 October 1916 and after training in England he served on the Western Front. In May 1918 he was hospitalised in England with trench fever before returning to his unit in France. He was wounded in action on 19 September 1918 with a gunshot wound to the left hand and was evacuated to England. He returned to Australia in January 1919 and died in Brisbane on 6 June 1956. He is buried in Toowong Cemetery.