Donald James Anderson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 8 Dec 1908 |
| Place of Birth | Belmont, Western Australia |
| Death | 12 Jun 1982, aged 73 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 32 years, 10 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 Swanson Anderson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W7722 & WX36585 |
| Date of Enlistment | 8 Oct 1941 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | "M" Australian Heavy Battery (Coast) |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 18 Aug 1943 ‒ 29 Aug 1943 |
| Transport Details | SS Junipero Serra Brisbane to Buna in Papua |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 31 Jul 1944 ‒ 8 Aug 1944 |
| Transport Details | SS William Luckenbach Finschhafen, Papua to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (medical) |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
During 1934 Donald married Lucy Swainson Bellas, and their daughter Helen Marie was born 7 Dec 1935. Electoral Roll entries: 1936 Albany road, Kelmscott; 1943 Fifth road, Armadale, labourer
War Service
Don 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. His 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 31 Mar 1942. On 18 Apr 1942 he returned to full duties with the Fortress Engineers Company.
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 1943 he was transferred from the Engineers to become an Artillery member of 'M' Australian Heavy Battery (Coast) of the Brisbane Fixed Heavy Artillery. Transferred to the 2nd AIF on 17 Jul 1943, on 18 Aug 1943 along with the rest of 'M' Battery he boarded the SS Junipero Serra in Brisbane for Buna in Papua where they disembarked on 29 Aug 1943.
On 3 Dec 1943 Don 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 Luckenbach 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 Line of Communication Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. 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.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1954 Albany road, Kelmscott, driver; 1963 - 1968 at 103 Bishopgate street, Carlisle, gardener; 1972 - 1980 at 2 Verrill way, Armadale.
Notes