E,C,A,Berg, 2nd/48th Battalion

[chrissiecruiser]

Hello all.
My dad, Eric Carl Albert Berg passed away in Dec 1980.
He had an eventful life, a conductor on the trams in Adelaide, chief propogator at Lasscocks, married thrice ( 1st and 3rd the same woman), but that's another story.
He went to war with the 2nd/48th, was shot and had schrapnel in his leg, found by the germans and interned for 41/2 years at different POW camps.
Now, just recently a fellow contacted me from Qld. He tracked me down thru Wikitree, Ancestry and dad's name....he had found a little notebook, all in my father's hand, full of tiny poetry, daily happenings in pow camp, names of other men there and where they were from.
A treasure trove.
I spoke to the War Museum and they want me to photo each page for them.
Very daunting to do it properly, many pages, and the writing is faint.
So, needless to say, it hasn't been done.    I'm feeling totally inadequate!
It sits with other precious things I have stashed!
Just needed to tell someone.

Chris

[Andy J2022]

I agree that it's not an easy job to do this without the correct equipment (copy stand, adjustable lighting etc). Why not suggest to the museum that they do the copying as they will have the equipment and expertise, and then return the original to you once the process is complete.

[chrissiecruiser]

Thamnkyou Andy for your suggestion, also for reading my epistle!
That was a shortened version of my dad.
He was a character, an alcoholic, (who would blame him after pow time), got himself into trouble on friday nights after the RSL, arrested, dancing on tabletops at the local and lots more.
Mum died when I was 7 so it was him and me, I grew up resentful of the army.
Different now though.
Your very thoughts sent me off to sleep last night, wondering how to get the lighting etc right.
Reckon I will call the lady back and have a chat.
Thanks.
Cheers,
Chris

[McGroger]

Great story, Chris.
And if you can get the War Memorial to do it as suggested by Andy or you can get help to do it yourself, I think it's very important to get yourself a digital copy for preservation before the original deteriorates further.
Peter

[chrissiecruiser]

Yes, thankyou Peter,
That is my intention, also 1 for my kids.
Cheers,
Chris.

[maddys52]

What an amazing story, so sad and poignant and beautiful at the same time. How precious must that notebook be. I agree, maybe ask the War Memorial for more help. Is it possible to scan the pages? - I suppose it depends how the book is bound.

Last year I spent many weeks scanning my grandfather's photo albums, which were more like diaries with many notes about the places and people in the photos. It was a difficult job, but I took my time, and now have  a digital record which I have shared with siblings.

Best of luck, hope it goes well.

[sparrett]

To be honest Chris, I would be a little reluctant to let the original out of your hands unless you were prepared to make a total donation of the book.

There is a risk that it would not be returned to you in it's best condition if the War Memorial undertook the photography.

I do not in any way, mean this a slur on their work, but just the possible ravages of the process and the postal journey each way.

Sue 

[chrissiecruiser]

Thanks Maddy, you have done a wonderful thing for your family, hope they appreciate it as much as you.
Sparrett, this has also crossed my mind and reckon I will give it a go first.    Not too many articles get to me unscathed here in the bush.

Love
Chris

[sparrett]

Maybe next time you are in a city or metropolitan area, call in to a premises of the major chain Off...works.

I know thay do offer a range of print/scan services.

There might be some advice or service suited to the job.

Sue