Douglas George Edgar Alexander
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 Jul 1918 |
| Place of Birth | Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Death | 4 Feb 1981, aged 62 |
| Place of Death | Fremantle road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 4 months |
| Description |
5'10½" (1.79m) tall ; 179lbs 81.193 kg ; diagonal appendix scar complexion ; blue eyes ; bown hair ; diagonal appendix scar |
| Occupation | Brickmaker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr. George Herbert Alexander |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W825 & WX21854 |
| Date of Enlistment | 2 Apr 1941 & 20 Jul 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Nov 1944 ‒ 26 Nov 1944 |
| Transport Details | USAT Evangaline |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 20 Jul 1945 ‒ 26 Jul 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Ormiston Jacquinot Bay to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument(s) | ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
Pre War
In 1924 his family were living in Hope Valley road, Hope Valley.
War Service
Original enlistment was in Kelmscott for part time service as a trooper in the CMF's 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2 from 29 Nov 1936 with Army Number 249749. He was discharged on 3 Dec 1938, before enlisting part time again on 3 Aug 1940 at Victoria Park (Army Number 826) with his brother Herbert Andrew Thomas Alexander. From 28 Jan 1941 until 27 Apr 1941 he participated in a training camp at Bunbury. Doug spent some time in the 110th Australian Base Hospital from 17 Feb 1941. He attended camp again between 7 Jul 1941 and 4 Oct 1941, and he was called up for full time duty on 17 Dec 1941. On 16 Jan 1942, Doug was discharged for Essential Services at Wanneroo (Oil tanks).
However, 6 months later Doug enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 20 Jul 1942. Nine days later he was sent to the Recreuit Training Battalion at Northam. On 26 Aug 1942 he was admitted to the 38th Australian Camp Hospital, but was moved on the same day to the 118th Australian General Hospital. Released back to the 35th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 7 Sep 1942, he enjoyed some leave and was then posted to the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) on 12 Dec 1942.
On 23 Feb 1943 along with the rest of his unit he entrained for Adelaide, arriving there on 28 Feb 1943. On 8 Mar 1943 Doug was found guilty of having been AWOL from 11:25pm on 4 Mar 1943 until 9:45pm on 5 Mar 1943. He was admonished and automatically forfeited a day's pay. On 14 March he and his unit entrained again, this time for the Northern Territory, detraining there on 19 March. From 1 - 13 Sep 1943 he attended a Reimental Police Cadre training course which he passed, and his proficiency pay was dated from 1 Jul 1943. From 12 Feb to 10 Mar 1944 Doug was granted home leave during which time he married, and on his return to his unit on 14 Mar 1944 he was admitted to the 52nd Australian Camp Hospital with Palinar Dermatitis, followed on 19 Mar 1944 with admission to the 109th Australian General Hospital with Scarlet Fever. On 30 Apr 1944 he was back with his unit.
On 21 Nov 1944 Douglas and others boarded USAT Evangaline in Darwin for Jacquinot Bay on the south coast of New Britain, and they disembarked there on 26 Nov 1944. On 20 Jul 1945 he began the return journey embarking on SS Ormiston, boarding at Jacquinot Bay, and disembarking in Brisbane on 26 Jul 1945. Sent back to Western Australia he arrived 7 Sep 1945 and entered Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot who discharged him on 15 Oct 1945.
Post War
Married Joyce Margaret Lynn (1920 - 29 Jul 2000) on 19 Feb 1944. She lived on Fremantle road, Armadale.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1954 Fremantle road, Armadale, brickmaker; 1958 - 1980 at 3 Forrest road, Armadale, brickmaker.
Notes