This series comprises correspondence files maintained in the Prime Minister's Office from October 1941, when John Curtin became Prime Minister, to December 1944. The series also reflects the extended periods in 1944 when F M (Frank) Forde was Acting Prime Minister, but does not include the correspondence for the last six months of Curtin's term of office until his death in early July 1945. The files mainly contain representations made directly to Curtin. The earliest of these relate to matters initially raised with Curtin as Member for Fremantle and then again with him in his capacity as Prime Minister, or matters that were passed on to him from the previous Fadden Government. Some letters are addressed to Curtin's wife (Mrs Elsie Curtin), his Private Secretary (Eric W Tonkin) or, in 1944, to Forde. The correspondence originated from political colleagues, personal friends, branches of political parties (particularly the Australian Labor Party), trade unions, local government authorities, returned servicemen associations, business interests, the general public, churches, women's groups and other community organisations. The subject matter is wide ranging, relating to requests for exemption or release from military service, pay and conditions of servicemen and their families, pensions, rationing, liquor question, censorship, manpower, effect of particular National Security Regulations, requisitioned property, aliens and internees, war loans, daylight saving, pay-as-you-earn taxation, comments on the government's conduct of the war and expressions of support, American Forces in Australia, 1944 referendum, appointment of HRH the Duke of Gloucester as Governor-General, re-appointment of S M Bruce as High Commissioner in London, post-war planning etc. In addition there is a small component of official and more personal correspondence dealing with Curtin's travel arrangements, expressions of goodwill and concern about his health. Some policy issues are dealt with, mainly through individual cases, such as the treatment of aliens, wartime regulations, post war reconstruction, immigration policy, housing, aborigines and appointments to official positions. The files are arranged in eight alphabetical sequences covering the following chronological periods: October-December 1941 (items 1-34); January-April 1942 (items 35-81); May-August 1942 (items 82-139); September-December 1942 (items 140-201); January to June 1943 (items 202-265); July-December 1943(items 266-343); January-June 1944 (items 344-404); and July-December 1944 (items 405-471). The contents of each file strongly reflect the chronological divisions, although most also contain related earlier papers and, occasionally, some later ones. The subject emphasis consequently tends to vary from one sequence to another, according to the progress of the war. Within the files the papers are also arranged alphabetically, mainly by the name of the correspondent. These are typed in the upper right hand corner of the letter. In some cases, the 'subject' and a brief note on the state of action such as 'pending' or 'finished' appears on the upper left hand corner. In general, replies were sent out under the signature block of Curtin's main Private Secretary (Tonkin), another Private Secretary (F A McLaughlin), or were signed directly by Curtin himself or by Forde. The office copy of the reply was often typed on the back of other letters, printed news notes or digests recycled for the purpose, particularly in the later years of the war when paper was in short supply. In addition to the letters, telegrams and handwritten notes, occasional enclosures include newspaper clippings, pamphlets, patriotic songs, poems and a few photographs. This series description was revised as part of the Prime Ministers Papers Project (June 2003).