A Rare Piece of New Zealand Military Postal History being the 1945 diary of a private serving with New Zealand Army Post Office at and around Maadi Camp in the Western Desert. The diary details the full year of 1945 with numerous detailed accounts as to the workings of the New Zealand Army Post Office. Sold with his 2 pay books, discharge certificate and a post war passport photo. The author was 450059 Private Paul William Mantle. He enlisted in the New Zealand Artillery 4 September 1939 and served with the 13th Heavy Battery New Zealand Artillery eventually attaining the rank of Bombardier. In 1945 he has been sent overseas with the 2 Nzef Post Office and he was finally discharged in 1946 after 5 1/2 years service in New Zealand and almost a year overseas. The diary documents the vital function of the 2 Nzef Post Office as well as making reference to almost unconsidered aspects of military history such as the robbery of quarters and the importance of sport as a relief in the Western Desert