Douglas Victor Wilkinson

Douglas Victor Wilkinson

Personal Information
Date of Birth	25 Jan 1916
Place of Birth	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Death	27 Jan 2008, aged 92
Place of Death	Gosnells, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	26 years, 6 months
Description	5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair
Occupation	Clerk
Religion	Methodist
Address	Darlington road, Darlington, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Evyline May Wilkinson
Military Information
Reg Number	W55491 & WX27118
Date of Enlistment	21 Jul 1942
Rank	Sergeant
Unit/Formation	16th Australian Infantry Training Battalion
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

During 28 Oct 1937 Douglas had married Evyline May Cameron (1919 - 2001) in the Canning district. Evyline died in Bayswater on 7 Feb 2001. Electoral Roll entries: 1937 at Homestead road, Gosnells, labourer; 1943 at 184 Bagot road, Subiaco, soldier.

War Service

Douglas was enlisted in the Militia (CMF) on 18 Feb 1942 and was posted to the 55th Anti Aircraft Battery RAE. On 16 Mar 1942 he was called up for full time duty and was transferred to the 2nd AIF on 21 Jul 1942 with a new No of WX27118. On 31 Oct 1942 he was appointed Lance Corporal, then on 16 Dec 1942 he was promoted Acting Corporal, and on 8 Apr 1943 to Acting Sergeant, with the rank of Sergeant confirmed on 13 Aug 1943. He was sent to headquarters to front a Selection Board on 28 Oct 1943.

Doug participated in the No. 104 A Search Light Training Course run by the School of Searchlights RAA at Middle Head in Sydney from 19 Nov 1943 until 13 Jan 1944, and performed very well on it, earning praise for his work and potential. After the course he was detached to the 66th Searchlight Battery from 30 Jan - 19 Feb 1944 before again returning to his unit which by now was called the 55th Australian Searchlight Battery (Mixed). On 2 Aug 1944 Doug was transferred to the 70th Australian Mobile Searchlight Battery, which at that time was in the Northern Territory and which was to be reached via South Australia. However, on arrival in South Australia he was taken in by the 6th Australian Movement Control Group which on 11 Nov 1944 transferred him to the 1st Australian Base Depot - Personnel in New South Wales as the need for Anti Aircraft and Searchlight personnel in the Northern Territory had declined. On 23 Feb 1945 he was transferred to the 13/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion. In turn they transferred him to the 41/2nd Australian Infantry Battalion on 31 May 1945, and they transferred him to the 16th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 6 Jun 1945.

On 18 Sep 1945 Doug was transferred to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge, and arrived there on 26 Sep 1945 and he was discharged on 22 Oct 1945.

Post War

At the time of his discharge Doug and Evyline had 3 children under 16 years of age. Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Alcock street, Maddington, orchardist; 1954 - 1972 at Corfield street, Gosnells, no occupation; 1977 - 1980 at 7 Holland street, Gosnells,