Douglas Windsor Parkin
From Our Contribution
 | |
 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.
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.
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