Donald James Anderson

Donald James Anderson

Personal Information
Date of Birth	8 Feb 1908
Place of Birth	Belmont, Western Australia
Death	12 Jun 1982
Place of Death	Wagin, Western AUstralia
Age at Enlistment	33 years, 8 months
Description	5'7" (1.70m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; hazel eyes ; dark hair
Occupation	labourer
Religion	Church of England
Address	Albany highway, Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Lucy Swanison Anderson
Military Information
Reg Number	W7722 & WX36585
Date of Enlistment	8 Oct 1941
Rank	Sergeant
Unit/Formation	"M" Heavy Battery
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	18 Aug 1943 ‒ 29 Aug 1943
Transport Details	SS J Serra Brisbane to Buna in Papua
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	31 Jul 1944 ‒ 8 Aug 1944
Transport Details	SS William Tuckenbach Finschhafen, Papua to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Daughter Helen M born 7 Dec 1935

War Service

Was a full time CMF member from 8 Oct 1941 until 16 Jul 1943 before joining the 2nd AIF from 17 Jul 1943 until his discharge on 17 May 1945. Initial posting after training was to No 4 Light Battery, Fremantle. On 29 Jan 1942 he was charged with having been AWOL from 10:00pm until a minute to midnight on 28 Jan. Fined 5/- by the CO of Fortress Coy. On 12 Mar 1942 he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital before being released to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot.

On 16 Jan 1943 Donald was transferred from the Fortress Engineers WA to the 4th Australian Fortress Company. On 22 Jan 1943 he was promoted Corporal and the next day transferred to the 5th Australian Fortress Company. On 1 May 1843 he was a member of 'M' Battery of the Brisbane Fixed Heavy Artillery. Transferred to the 2nd AIF on 17 Jul 1943, on 18 Aug 1943 he boarded the SS J Serra in Brisbane for Buna in Papua where he disembarked on 29 Aug 1943.

On 6 Sep 1943 he was transferred to the "M" Heavy Battery, Coastal Royal Australian Artillery. However, on 3 Dec 1943 he required evacuation to the 2/3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station for treatment for an unknown infection, before returning to his unit on 19 Dec 1943. Donald was promoted Acting Sergeant on 21 Apr 1944, and the rank was confirmed on 9 Jul 1944. Three weeks later, on 31 Jul 1944 Donald boarded the SS William Tuckenbach in Finschhafen for Brisbane where he disembarked on 8 Aug 1944.

Donald spent two days with the 12th Australian Camp Hospital with Dyspepsia in late October 1944 before transferring to the Queensland RR &GDD. He bounced around base units until 9 Jan 1945 when he was reclassified 'B2' suitable for work as a truck driver, and recommended for return to Western Australia. On 2 Mar 1945 he was admitted to 110th Australian Base Hospital with malaria, and after treatment he was released on 10 Mar 1945. however on 20 Mar 1945 he was admitted to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot for recovery before being discharged on 15 May 1945.