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Difference between revisions of "Douglas Windsor Parkin"

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| rank           = Sergeant
 
| rank           = Sergeant
 
| unit      = [[2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion]]
 
| unit      = [[2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion]]
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| 1stembarkationdatefrom= 20 Apr 1940
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| 1stembarkationdateto= 18 Jun 1940
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| 1sttransportembarked= HMT Y3 Nevasa
 
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==Pre War==
 
==Pre War==
Douglas Windsor Parkin was born at Fremantle in 1917, the son of Arthur and Margaret Parkin of Palmyra and Roleystone. Altogether there were eight sons and two daughters in the family and all the brothers except one, who was in the police force, enlisted in either the army or the air force between November 1939 and January 1942. Douglas attended Roleystone school and enjoyed playing cricket and football.
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Douglas Windsor Parkin was born at Fremantle in 1917, the son of Arthur and Margaret Parkin of Palmyra and Roleystone. Altogether there were eight sons and two daughters in the family and all the brothers except one, who was in the police force, enlisted in either the army or the air force between November 1939 and January 1942. Douglas attended Roleystone school and enjoyed playing cricket and football. After leaving school, Douglas worked at home and on several orchards in the area and later worked as a bakery cart driver.
 
 
After leaving school, Douglas worked at home and on several orchards in the area and later worked as a bakery cart driver.
 
  
 
==War Service==
 
==War Service==
Douglas enlisted at Merredin on 11 Nov 1939 and was sent to the Northam camp as a member of the [[2/11th Australian Infnatry Battalion]] for a brief time until he embarked in Fremantle on an unknown ship for Sydney. During that time, on 7 Dec 1939 he was fined 5/- (50 cents) for overstaying his leave. On arrival at the Ingleburn camp (18 Dec 1939) he was transfered to the [[2/1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion]]. On 10 Jan 1940 Doug was admitted to the Newcastle Hospital with Bronchitis and severe Tonsilitis, and was then released after treatment on 16 Jan 1940.
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Douglas enlisted at Merredin on 11 Nov 1939 and was sent to the Northam camp as a member of the [[2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion]] until he embarked in Fremantle on an unknown ship for Sydney. During that time, on 7 Dec 1939 he was fined 5/- (50 cents) for overstaying his leave. On arrival at the Ingleburn Camp (18 Dec 1939) he was transfered to the [[2/1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion]]'s reinforcements. The battalion was raised in South Australia with companies also coming from Victoria and Tasmania. ''D Company'' was raised in Western Australia. On 10 Jan 1940 Doug had been admitted to the Newcastle Hospital with Bronchitis and severe Tonsilitis, before being released after treatment on 16 Jan 1940.
  
  
Doug enjoyed pre-embarkation leave back in Western Australia before reporting to the Melville Camp on 2 Apr 1940. On 20 Apr 1940 he boarded [[HMAT YS Nevassa]] in Fremantle for the Middle East, disembarking at El Kantara on 18 Jun 1940. On 17 Jun 1940 at Kilo 89 Doug was transferred to the [[2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion]], detached for duty to [[HQ 19th Australian Infantry Brigade]]. On 7 Aug 1940 he was charged with failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer. He was fined 10/- ($1). On 6 Sep 1940 he was charged with Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, and this time his fine was £1 ($2). He was then detached for Special Duties on 25 Feb 1941 before transfering back to the [[2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion]].  
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Doug enjoyed pre-embarkation leave back in Western Australia before reporting to the Melville Camp on 2 Apr 1940. On 20 Apr 1940 the 2/11th Battalion boarded [[HMAT Y3 Nevasa]], a part of Convoy US 2, in Fremantle for the Middle East via Colombo, disembarking at El Katara on 18 May 1940. On 17 Jun 1940 at Kilo 89 Doug was formally transferred to the [[2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion]], detached for duty to [[HQ 19th Australian Infantry Brigade]]. On 7 Aug 1940 he was charged with failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer. He was fined 10/- ($1). On 6 Sep 1940 he was charged with Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, and this time his fine was £1 ($2). He was then detached for Special Duties on 25 Feb 1941 before transferring back to the [[2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion]] on 11 Mar 1941. Doug was AWOL from 6:ooam on 29 March until 10:00pm on 30 Mar 1941 for which he was fined 10/-, and forfeited 2 days pay.
  
  
On 2 Apr 1941 he was transferred again, this time back to the [[2/1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion]] and four days later on 6 Apr 1941 Doug embarked for Greece, sailing the following day and they disembarked on 9 April before moving forward to Larissa. When forced to evacuate Greece the unit on 27 Apr 1941 boarded [[SS Costa Rica]] which landed them on Crete following a bombing raid on the ship that caused it to be abandoned.  
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On 2 Apr 1941 he was transferred again, this time back to the [[2/1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion]] and four days later on 6 Apr 1941 Doug embarked for Greece, sailing the following day and they disembarked on 9 April before moving forward to Garania to support Greek troops. When forced to evacuate Greece the unit on 27 Apr 1941 boarded [[SS Costa Rica]] which landed them on Crete following a bombing raid on the ship that caused it to be abandoned. Following the German invasion of Crete, the battalion returned to Alexandria other than 'D' Company which remained together with elements of 'B' Company.
  
  
but at some point was transferred to the [[2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion]] prior to going to New Guinea.
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They fought the Vichy French in Palestine and were then recalled to Australia.
The battalion was raised in South Australia with companies also coming from Victoria and Tasmania. D Company was raised in Western Australia with the battalion coming together at Fremantle in April 1940 before embarking for the Middle East where they arrived at Suez in mid-May. They fought the Vichy French in Palestine and were then recalled to Australia.
 
  
  

Revision as of 18:57, 7 December 2022

Douglas Windsor Parkin
Parkin Douglas W.jpg
Parkin Douglas windsor.jpg
King's Park memorial
Personal Information
Date of Birth 3 Aug 1917
Place of Birth Fremantle, Western Australia
Death 16 Jun 1945
Place of Death New Guinea
Age at Enlistment 22 years, 2 months
Occupation Bakers carter
Religion Church of England
Address Holden road, Roleystone, Western Australia
Next of Kin Father , Mr A Parkin
Military Information
Reg Number WX949
Date of Enlistment 11 Nov 1939
Rank Sergeant
Unit/Formation 2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 20 Apr 1940 ‒ 18 Jun 1940
Transport Details HMT Y3 Nevasa
Post War Details
Fate Killed in action
Monument(s) Kelmscott War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Australian War Memorial



Pre War

Douglas Windsor Parkin was born at Fremantle in 1917, the son of Arthur and Margaret Parkin of Palmyra and Roleystone. Altogether there were eight sons and two daughters in the family and all the brothers except one, who was in the police force, enlisted in either the army or the air force between November 1939 and January 1942. Douglas attended Roleystone school and enjoyed playing cricket and football. After leaving school, Douglas worked at home and on several orchards in the area and later worked as a bakery cart driver.

War Service

Douglas enlisted at Merredin on 11 Nov 1939 and was sent to the Northam camp as a member of the 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion until he embarked in Fremantle on an unknown ship for Sydney. During that time, on 7 Dec 1939 he was fined 5/- (50 cents) for overstaying his leave. On arrival at the Ingleburn Camp (18 Dec 1939) he was transfered to the 2/1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion's reinforcements. The battalion was raised in South Australia with companies also coming from Victoria and Tasmania. D Company was raised in Western Australia. On 10 Jan 1940 Doug had been admitted to the Newcastle Hospital with Bronchitis and severe Tonsilitis, before being released after treatment on 16 Jan 1940.


Doug enjoyed pre-embarkation leave back in Western Australia before reporting to the Melville Camp on 2 Apr 1940. On 20 Apr 1940 the 2/11th Battalion boarded HMAT Y3 Nevasa, a part of Convoy US 2, in Fremantle for the Middle East via Colombo, disembarking at El Katara on 18 May 1940. On 17 Jun 1940 at Kilo 89 Doug was formally transferred to the 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion, detached for duty to HQ 19th Australian Infantry Brigade. On 7 Aug 1940 he was charged with failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer. He was fined 10/- ($1). On 6 Sep 1940 he was charged with Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, and this time his fine was £1 ($2). He was then detached for Special Duties on 25 Feb 1941 before transferring back to the 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion on 11 Mar 1941. Doug was AWOL from 6:ooam on 29 March until 10:00pm on 30 Mar 1941 for which he was fined 10/-, and forfeited 2 days pay.


On 2 Apr 1941 he was transferred again, this time back to the 2/1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion and four days later on 6 Apr 1941 Doug embarked for Greece, sailing the following day and they disembarked on 9 April before moving forward to Garania to support Greek troops. When forced to evacuate Greece the unit on 27 Apr 1941 boarded SS Costa Rica which landed them on Crete following a bombing raid on the ship that caused it to be abandoned. Following the German invasion of Crete, the battalion returned to Alexandria other than 'D' Company which remained together with elements of 'B' Company.


They fought the Vichy French in Palestine and were then recalled to Australia.


During their return, they were diverted to Sumatra and Batavia where they suffered heavy losses. Some were able to return to Australia and form the nucleus of a new battalion, subsequently going into action in New Guinea. Sergeant Douglas Windsor Parkin, was killed in action at Mandy, New Guinea on 16 Jun 1945. He was 27 years of age.

Parkin Douglas.jpg

Doug centre of the three Australians Photo AWM 018502

His plaque in Kings Park is placed alongside that of his older brother Private Mervyn Parkin of 2/11 Australian Infantry Battalion, and a relative killed in WW 1, Private Lionel Savage of the 44th Battalion.


  • Lae War Cemetery
  • description


Notes


External Links

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