Douglas Joseph (Doug) Mills
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 7 Aug 1921 |
| Place of Birth | Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Death | 3 Sep 2001 |
| Place of Death | Mandurah, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years 2 months |
| Description | 5'9" (1.75m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Charcoal burner |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Address | ASeventh road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Emanuel Mills |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX30909 |
| Date of Enlistment | 21 Oct 1941 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | 18th Australian Field Company |
| Post War Details | |
Pre War
Married Elanor Stewart Gordon (1924 - 2009) in 1941.
War Service
Doug's initial enlistment was at Armadale on 21 Oct 1941 on a part time basis, allocated to the CMF's 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2. On 5 Jan 1942 he was called up for full time service, remaining with his unit. On 19 Aug 1942 Doug was transferred to the 2nd AIF, and on 26 jan 1943 he was promoted Acting Corporal. Soon after he was granted 5 days leave before attending a Guerilla Warfare Course run by the 3rd Australian Corps Training School in late March 1943. On 21 Apr 1943 Doug's promotion to Corporal was confirmed. On 12 May 1944 his time withthe Light Horse Regiment was over as he was transferred to General Reinforcements and entrained for NSW on 12 May 1944.
On 26 May 1944 Dough was transferred to the 1st Australian Base Depot Personnel, and on 6 Jun 1944 he was transferred to the the Engineers 1st Australian RAE Training Battalion and following training he was transferred to the 18th Australian Field Company on 27 Oct 1944 in Queensland. Following a further period of training, on 4 May 1945 he embarked on USAT Sea Cat in Brisbane for Morotai, disembarking there on 13 May 1945. On 1 Jun 1945 he embarked in Morotai on USS LST 626 for Labuan Island, Borneo where on 28 Nov 1945 he was promoted Sergeant, and on 18 Dec 1945 promoted again to Staff Sergeant.
By 14 Jan 1946 Doug was no longer required by his unit and had returned to AUstralia on 27 Jan 1946. On 5 Feb 1946 he was taken on strength by the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot before being transferred to 3rd CRE (Works) on 7 Mar 1946. On 21 June he returned to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot, this time to take his discharge which occurred on 25 Jun 1946
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Seventh road Armadale, labourer; 1954 - 1977 John street, Armadale, armament assistant; 1980 at 36 Tuckey street, Mandurah, cleaner.
Notes