The collection contains correspondence, school and university records, photographs; papers, commissions and badges relating from military service in the First World War for Jack Fryer and his brothers who served in World War One. There are papers relating to the Fryer Family and the establishment of the Fryer Memorial Library of Australian Literature.

The series is comprised of letters from and to John (Jack) Fryer; and documents relating to him such as birth and death certificates, educational reports and results.

Letters from John D Fryer.
Folder 1a
Chronologically arranged notes taken from the collection of letters below
• John Fryer, St John’s College, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane to ‘Dear Lizzie’, 13 May 1915
• John Fryer, Enoggera, Brisbane to ‘Dear Lizzie’, 20 Jun 1915
• John Fryer, A69 Warilda, Sydney to his father, 8 Oct 1915
• ‘Souvenir of Perth, W.A.’, John Fryer to Mrs CG Fryer, 15 Oct 1915
• John Fryer, Zetoun Camp, Egypt, to his mother, [1915]
• John Fryer, No. 4 Auxiliary Hospital, Abbassia, Egypt, to his mother, 14 Dec 1915
• John Fryer, No. 4 Auxiliary Hospital, Abbassia, Egypt to Elizabeth [Liz] Fryer, 16 Dec 1915
• John Fryer, France to Walter Fryer, 22 Jul 1916
• Field Service Post Card, John Fryer to Mrs CG Fryer, 23 Jul 1916
• Field Service Post Card, John Fryer to Master W. P. Fryer, 25 Jul 1916
• Field Service Post Card, John Fryer to Mrs CG Fryer, 25 Aug 1916
• John Fryer, New College, Oxford to his mother, 17 Dec 1916
• John Fryer, postcard to Liz, [nd.]
• John Fryer, New College, Oxford, to Liz, 17 Jan 1917
• John Fryer, France, to his Mother, 17 Mar 1917
• John Fryer, [France?], to ‘all at home’, 26 Mar 1917

Folder 1b
• John Fryer, France, to his mother, 9 April, 1917
• John Fryer, Cranston’s Waverly Hotel, Southampton Row, London to Liz, 9 Jun 1917
John Fryer, France, to his mother, 11 Jun 1917
• John Fryer, France, to his Father, 6 Aug 1917
• John Fryer, St John’s College, Brisbane, to his mother, 1 Mar 1921
• John Fryer, St John’s College, Brisbane, to his mother, 2 Aug 1922
• John Fryer, “Ardoyne”, Corinda to his mother, 5 Oct 1922
• John Fryer to his Mother, “Ardoyne”, [Rest and Hosp?], 17 Oct 1922
• John Fryer to his Mother, “Ardoyne”, Corinda, 7 Nov 1922
• John Fryer to his Mother, “Ardoyne”, Corinda, 25 Nov 1922
• John Fryer, France?, to his Mother, n.d.
• John Fryer, Springsure, to his Mother, 2 Aug 1919
• John Fryer, Springsure, to his Mother, 5 Oct 1919

Letters to John Fryer
• Mrs E. M. Goodwill, Midland Junction Western Australia, to John Fryer, 3 Sep 1918
• Charles G Fryer, Springsure, 11 Nov 1918
• Department of Defence, Melbourne to Lieutenant JD Fryer, Springsure, Queensland
• Registrar, University of Queensland to JD Fryer, Rosemount Hospital, 22 Dec 1922
• Wheally[?], to JD Fryer, Balliol College, Oxford, England, 22 Sep 1912

Documents relevant to John D Fryer
• Birth Certificate for John Dennis Fryer, Springsure, 11 Sep 1895, registered 9 Nov 1895
• Death Certificate for John Denis Fryer, Springsure, 7 Feb 1923
• Memo to Master John Dennis Fryer from Department of Public Instruction re candidate for State Scholarship, 15 Dec 1908
• Memorandum from the Queensland Department of Public Instruction to John D Fryer re examination results, 29 Jan 1909
• Rockhampton Boys’ Grammar School reports for John D Fryer, Easter 1909 to Jun 1913
• The University of Queensland Junior Public Examination results, JD Fryer, Dec 1911
• The University of Queensland Senior Public Examination results for John D Fryer, Nov 1913
• Rockhampton Boys’ Grammar School, 2nd Report for Session 1914 on JD Fryer
• The University of Queensland Senior Public Examination results, JD Fryer, Nov 1914
• Letter from CR Paterson, JD Fryer and AN Park to HA Kellow, Headmaster, Rockhampton Grammar School re increasing senior prefects’ privileges, [1914?]
• Letter from the Department of Public Instruction, Brisbane to John D Fryer re granting of a scholarship to the University of Queensland, 8 Jan 1915
• AIR: The Tarpaulin Jacket, “A” Company, 4th Battalion, New College, Oxford, 19 Jan 1917
• AIR: “The Tarpaulin Jacket”, typed copy of original publication
• Menu: 52nd Battalion AIF Officers’ Mess, Christmas Dinner 1917. Signed by John D Fryer on the front and other diners on rear
• Dedication (to the victorious “eight”). An ode to the victorious University of Queensland crew of eight. Note records ‘JD Fryer’s property’.
• ‘O Frailty-----.’ Ode by ‘Chut’, [John D Fryer], Galmahra, Oct 1921

John D Fryer: Certificates and keepsakes
• Three certificates awarded to John D Fryer for academic achievement at the Rockhampton Boys’ Grammar School
• Poster: ‘Female Obelisk. A simple-ton of learning, so aged and wise, Finds fit representation in the obelisk guise’
• John D Fryer, Results of Examinations, Rockhampton Grammar School, 1911 to 1912
• Certificate of Commission as an Officer in the Defence Force of the Commonwealth, 1 Jul 1920
• Invitation to Mr J Fryer from ‘His Excellency the Governor at Home’ 28 Apr [1920?]
• Menu: ‘Dinner tendered to Brisbane University Football Team by the University Amateur League Football Club, Burlington Café, 12 Jun 1920’
• In memoriam card: John Denis Fryer (Lieut. A.I.F) Who Died 7th February, 1923 from the effects of gas received in France, aged 27 years
• Rockhampton Boys’ Grammar School bookplate devised in honour of John D Fryer and awarded for proficiency in French and English

Papers and other material donated by members of the Fryer Family which relates to John Denis Fryer or other Fryer family members.

Letters from William Fryer
• William (Will, Bill or Billy) Fryer, Brisbane to Liz, 17 Jun 1915
• Will Fryer, Sydney to his mother, 7 Oct 1915
• Will Fryer, A69 Warilda, to Liz 12 Oct 1915
• Will Fryer, Helmich Camp, to Liz, 19 Nov 1915
• Will Fryer, Helmich Camp, to his Mother, 19 Nov 1915
• Will Fryer, Helmich Camp, to his Mother, 2 Dec 1915
• Will Fryer, Helmich Camp, to Kitty, 2 Dec 1915
• Will Fryer, Polygon Camp, Abassia, Cairo, to his Mother, 21 Dec 1915
• Will Fryer, [Egypt], to Liz, 10 Feb 1916
• Will Fryer, Tel-el-Kebir, to Liz, 27 Mar 1916
• Will Fryer, OAS, Egypt, to his mother, 13 Apr 1916
• Will Fryer, postcard reading ‘Miss Edith Cavell, Murdered, Oct 12 1915 Remember!’ [nd.]
• Will Fryer, [France] to his mother, 7 Jul 1916
• Will Fryer, France, to Liz, 30 Jun 1916
• Will Fryer, France, to his mother, [nd.]
• Will Fryer, In the Field, to Liz, 20 Jul 1916
• Will Fryer, France, postcard to his mother, 18 Aug 1916
• Will Fryer, No. 5 Red Cross Hospital, France to his father, 22 Sep 1916
• Will Fryer, Bishops Knoll, No. 5 Red Cross Hospital, [France] to Liz, 26 Sep 1916
• Will Fryer, Bishops Knoll [Hospital], to Liz, 5 Oct 1916
• Fryer, Bishops Knoll, to Miss E. S. Fryer, State School, Springsure, Queensland, 14 Oct 1916
• Will Fryer, Bishop’s Knoll, to Liz, 26 Sep 1916
• Walter Fryer, circa 1916
• Will Fryer, Dorset to Liz, 15 Feb 1917
• Will Fryer, No. 1, Command Depot, Pesham Downs, Salisbury Plains, [1917]
• Will Fryer, Brisbane to Liz, 18 Aug 1917
• Will Fryer to Richard, postcard, n.d.

Fryer Family Documents
Box 1 Folder 10:
• Marriage Certificate, Charles George Fryer and Rosina Richards, District of Rockhampton, 1883
• Copy of Certificate of Marriage of Charles George Fryer and Rosina Fryer née Richards, District of Rockhampton, 1883
• Birth Certificate for Elizabeth Stuart Fryer, District of Springsure, 1884
• Birth Certificate of William Thomas Fryer, District of Rockhampton, 1887
• Birth Certificate of Charles George Fryer, District of Rockhampton, 1889
• Marriage Certificate of James Stephen Gilmour and Elizabeth Stuart Fryer, District of Springsure, 1919
• Copy of Certificate of Marriage of James Stephen Gilmour and Elizabeth Stuart Fryer
• Death Certificate of William Thomas Fryer, District of Springsure, 1946
• Memorandum from Queensland Department of Public Correction to Miss Elizabeth S Fryer re admittance to Department as a pupil-teacher, Brisbane, 23 Feb 1899
• Annual examination results between 1900 to 1903 for Miss Elizabeth S Fryer as a pupilteacher
• Examination result, Teacher Third Class for Miss Elizabeth Fryer, 1904
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth S Fryer re appointment as a Teacher Class III, Division 3, 19 Dec 1905
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth S Fryer re appointment as a Teacher Class III, Division 2, 1906
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth S Fryer re appointment as a Teacher Class III, Division 1, 1908
• Department of Public Instruction examination results for Miss Elizabeth S Fryer for the Standing of Class II, 18 Mar 1910
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth Fryer from the Department of Public Instruction re transfer from Springsure State School to Ashgrove State School, 23 Sep 1910
• Springsure State School Committee resolution to Miss E. Fryer on the occasion of her transfer to Ashgrove, Brisbane, 30th Sep 1910
• Department of Public Instruction examination results for Miss Elizabeth S Fryer for the Standing of Class II, 4 Mar 1911
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth S Fryer re appointment as a Teacher Class II, Division 3, 15 Dec 1911
• Department of Public Instruction examination results for Miss Elizabeth S Fryer for the Standing of Class II, 17 Jul 1912
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth Fryer from the Department of Public Instruction re transfer from Ashgrove State School to Springsure State School, 4 Jun 1913
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth S Fryer re appointment as a Teacher Class II, Division 2, 5 Feb 1915
• Military Forces of the Commonwealth Junior Cadet Training Certificate for Miss E. Fryer, 2 Dec 1916
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth S Fryer re appointment as a Teacher Class II, Division 3, 7 May 1918
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth Fryer from the Department of Public Instruction re application to take leave of absence with full pay, 28 Feb 1919
• Memorandum to Miss Elizabeth Fryer from the Department of Public Instruction re resignation from Department on occasion of her marriage, 22 Jul 1919
• Mrs Rosina Fryer employment references as matron of the Springsure Hospital and as midwife, 1917 to 1925. These references were required by Mrs Rosina Fryer when she sought to obtain her midwifery certificate in the 1920s. She delivered her first baby at 12 years of age. Information supplied by Mrs Alexis R Lear, Mrs Rosina Fryer’s granddaughter, at the time of donation

Box 2
Folder 1
• Magazine clipping: ‘The Stars Look Down on Bangslappers’ re Norman Lindsay, The Australasian Women’s Weekly, 25 Aug 1971
• Hand annotated scores to ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’ by Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour
• Drawing by John D Fryer ‘in his Uni days when he knew P.R. Inky Stevenson entitled ‘The Moaning of the Tied (Tide).’ Donated by Mrs Alexis R Lear, Townsville niece of G. R. Lear, May 1976
• Newspaper clipping, ‘Mrs Wheeler’s work recalled by family’, The Capricornian, 22 Jan 1975
• ‘Crystal Ball’ A poem typed by Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour, 1978 to 1979
• Australian Red Cross Society membership receipt for Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour
• Newspaper cutting: featuring photograph of Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour at a piano on her 95th birthday
• Newspaper cutting: entitled ‘Happy Mother’s Day munching’
• Newspaper cutting: ‘Special tea for some special ladies’
• Newspaper cutting: ‘A mothers luncheon’, 1980
• Newspaper cutting ‘Grandmother is Arts graduate-and all by mail’ [nd]
• Card with Bellevue Homestead on front
• Letters to Mr and Mrs Lear, mainly from relatives

Folder 2
• Unidentified letter dated 1912 [Possibly Lily McCury (?)]. Sender’s address: 3 Spencer Villas, Kingston.
• Unidentified letter page (nd)
• Letter from Lily McCury [?], Spencer Villas, Glenagleary, [Ireland], [nd]
• Card: ‘Greetings from the Camel Corps’ from George Moffit to Elizabeth S Fryer
• Poem: ‘The Supreme Sacrifice’ by John S. Arkwright
• Post card: Patriotic Carnival Procession, (Aug. 26th 1916)
• Christmas Card, ‘Alf - With love to Lizzie’ [December 1917]
• Letter from Aunt Linda Fryer, Clonburrin, Bagnalstown, Ireland to Elizabeth S Gilmour [née Fryer], 19 Oct 1919
• Letter from Aunt Linda Fryer, Ireland to Elizabeth S Gilmour, 9 Dec 1923
• Letter from Veronica Baggaly, Sandgate to Mrs [E. S.] Gilmour, [circa 192?]
• Letter from Aunt Aggie to [?], Sep 1924
• Letter from [Lex Lear?] to [Elizabeth S Gilmour?], 16 Oct 1947
• Letter form Elizabeth S Gilmour to her daughter Lex Lear, 16 Jan 1950
• Letter from Aunt Kitty, [?] Ipswich, Suffolk, England to Elizabeth S Fryer, 15 Feb 1952[?]
• Card from the University of Queensland French Department to Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour re her donation to the Mary Alexis Macmillan [Memorial] Fund, 15 Feb 1972
• Letter from Douglass [Fryer], 32 Jackson St, to Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour, 7 Mar 1979
• Letter from Douglass and Agnes Fryer to Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour, 11 Jun 1979
• Birthday card and letter from Ann and Don Lear [Grandson], Sandgate to Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour, Springsure, 26th Jun 1979
• Envelope with family details of Don and Ann Lear
• Letter from Elizabeth S Gilmour, Townsville to her daughter Lex Lear, 2 Jan 1980
• Letter from Elizabeth S Gilmour to her granddaughter, Stephanie Lear, 4 Feb 1980
• Letter from Don Ryan to Mrs S. Gilmour, 13 Aug 1980
• Letter from Mrs Veronica Sirman [nee Baggerly], friend of JD Fryer, Herstonville Convalescent Home, Herston, to Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour
• Bundle: Assorted letters and cards to Mrs Elizabeth S Gilmour
• Twenty postcards + one card (belonging to Rosa Richards [?]) and one small hand painted card (painted by Eunice Gilmour) [previously housed in Kolotex box].

Accounts of John D Fryer’s Life and Obituaries
• ‘The Death of A Friend’, Galmahra, May 1923, author P. R. S. (Inky) Stephenson [photocopy].
• An Old Boy, an ode to John D Fryer by H.A. Kellow Headmaster, Rockhampton Grammar School. Published in the Rockhampton School Magazine, Jun 1923
• Copy of letter sent from Reverend Stevenson, Warden of St John’s College, Tasmania to Mr and Mrs Charles G Fryer, circa 1923
• ‘John Denis (“Chut”) Fryer, 1895-1923’, Colin Bingham, 11 May 1931
• An account of the Early Life of John Denis Fryer by Elizabeth Gilmour [née Fryer]. Nineteen pages typed
• Photocopy of Elizabeth Gilmour [née Fryer] biography, An account of the Early Life of John Denis Fryer
• Additions to Elizabeth Gilmour’s biography of John D Fryer
• Letter from FW Patterson recounting his friendship with John D Fryer, [197?]
• ‘JD Fryer at the University of Queensland’, [author possibly Lord Robert Hall]
• ‘Student Soldier Remembered’. Newspaper cutting and one photocopy of same
• Handwritten notes on the life of John D Fryer, seven pages
• Handwritten note from Mrs Macmillan re three Rhodes Scholarship recipients and early reading of John D Fryer
• Note from Dr. Cecil Hadgraft re John D Fryer’s nickname of “Chut”, 16 Jun 1966