Second World War scrapbook, Sergeant Miller

An original scrapbook/photograph album compiled by Sergeant Lewis M. Miller who served as a cook in the 71st Squadron, 38th Bomber Group, U.S. 5th Army Air Force, 1941-1944. This album contains original photographs, postcards, greeting cards, menus, tourist brochures, V-Mails, original pen and ink cartoons, military insignia, souvenir bookmarks and U.S. propaganda leaflets all from the period of the Second World War.

Sergeant Miller, of Reading, Pennsylvania, began his U.S. Army career in the early 1930s when he served as a Private at Fort Amador in the Panama Canal Zone. He entered the 38th Bomber Group in February 1941, undertaking basic training at Langley Field, Virginia, and then at Jackson Army Air Base, Mississippi. He was sent to Australia as part of the ground echelon of his unit in January 1942, and until October of that year was stationed at various airfields in Queensland. From late 1942 until January 1945 he served in New Guinea at various bases including Port Moresby and Biak.

The album contains a wonderful assemblage of memorabilia relating to his entire army service, particularly his time in Queensland. Most notable is a unique collection of thirty photographs and fourteen small format tourist postcards and view folders of places and local people in Mackay, many of whom are identified with names and addresses.