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Donald Norrish MacDonald

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Donald Norrish MacDonald
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Personal Information
Date of Birth 28 Jan 1912
Place of Birth Albany, Western Australia
Death 6 Apr 1987, aged 75
Place of Death Fremantle, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 29 years, 3 months
Description 5'6" (1.68m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; ginger hair ; scar on back of right hand
Occupation Bus driver
Religion Church of England
Address "The Momestead", Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin Mother , Mrs Sarah Matilda Norrish MacDonald
Military Information
Reg Number W33096 & WX12461
Date of Enlistment 6 May 1941
Rank Staff Sergeant
Unit/Formation 1st Papuan Infantry Battalion
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 7 Nov 1941 ‒ 22 Nov 1941
Transport Details HMT Queen Elizabeth Fremantle to Egypt
Return to Australia
Journey Dates 18 Feb 1942 ‒ 16 Mar 1942
Transport Details HMT Andes Egypt to Adelaide
2nd Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 15 Nov 1944 ‒ 16 Nov 1944
Transport Details plane Townsville to Port Moresby
Return to Australia
Journey Dates 8 Dec 1945 ‒ 11 Dec 1945
Transport Details SS Edna Port Moresby to Sydney
Post War Details
Fate Returned to Australia
Medals 1939-45 Star
Pacific Star
War Medal 1939-45
Australian Service Medal 1939-45



Pre War

Electoral Roll entries: 1936 - 1937 Eighth Avenue, Armadale, poultry farmer. In 1942 Donald married Muriel Amiee Maud Odgers (1911 - 1996) in Perth. Muriel died aged 85 in Attadale. They had a daughter.

War Service

Donald enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 6 May 1941 and on 9 May was sent to the AASC Training Depot at Claremont to begin training. On 4 May he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital with Neuritis before being released on 14 May 1941 to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. On 15 July he was taken in by the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot at Naval base before being released on 1 Aug 1941 to the AASC Training Depot. Having made progress with his training, on 12 Sep 1941 Donald was transferred to the AASC General Reinforcements. He was granted pre-embarkation leave from the 11th until 21 Oct 1941.


On 7 Nov 1941 Donald embarked on HMT LL HMT Queen Elizabeth ? part of Convoy US 13 which sailed for Egypt via Trincomalee in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) on 8 November. Disembarkation took place on 22 Nov 1941 and Donald was posted to the 2/1st Australian Corps Troops Support Column. On 18 Feb 1942 he embarked on HMT Andes for Adelaide where he disembarked on 16 Mar 1942.


On 15 Oct 1942 Donald was transferred to the 3rd Australian Corps Troops Supply Column where on 4 Jan 1943 Donald was appointed Lance Corporal, and on 26 Jan 1943 he was promoted Acting Corporal. This rank was confirmed on 27 Feb 1943, before being promoted Acting Sergeant on 15 Apr 1943, a rank which was confirmed on 11 Jun 1943. In late 1943 he married Muriel Annie. On 12 Jul 1944 Donald entrained for Victoria for reallocation before being sent to the Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare) on 27 Jul 1944. With his training completed, on 10 Oct 1944 Donald was on 6 Nov 1944 transferred to the Papuan Infantry Battalion.


On 15 Nov 1944 Donald emplaned in Townsville, and arrived in Port Moresby the same day. He was detached to the Australian New Guoinea Administration Unit (ANGAU) from 15 Nov 1944 until 18 Dec 1944. On 14 Apr 1945 Donald was transferred to the Pacific Island Regiment Depot Battalion's Training Wing where on 28 Apr 1945 he was promoted Staff Sergeant. On 4 Dec 1945 Donald was transferred on paper to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. On 8 Dec 1945 he embarked on SS Edna for Sydney, disembarking on 17 Dec 1945. On 11 Jan 1946 Donald arrived in Perth where he was discharged on 21 Jan 1946.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1954 Prospect road, Armadale, Superintendent; 1958 - 1963 - 1980 at 93 High road, Melville (93 Leach Highway Willagee)

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