John Douglas (Doug) Donald
From Our Contribution
 photo courtesy Helen Clark | |
 In training at Northam - photo courtesy Helen Clark | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 30 Apr 1923 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 19 Sep 1975 aged 52 |
| Place of Death | Shenton Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 7 months |
| Description | 5' 3½" (1.61m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; loss of two joints rignth index finger |
| Occupation | farm hand |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | Outram road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Robert Donald |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | [https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6377284 W34785 & WX30918 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Dec 1941 & 23 Aug 1942 |
| Rank | Sapper |
| Unit/Formation | 1st Australian Bomb Disposal Platoon |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 16 Mar 1945 ‒ 28 Mar 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Sea Barb Cairns to Morotai |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 22 Apr 1945 ‒ 25 Apr 1945 |
| Transport Details | unknown LST Morotai to Tarrakan |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Jan 1946 ‒ 11 Feb 1946 |
| Transport Details | unknown ship Macassar to Sydney |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Doug was enlisted in the part time CMF on 14 Jun 1941, allocated to the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2. Doug entered training camp on 7 Jul 1941 and finished his training on 4 Oct 1941 the day he was called up for full time duty. At some point his unit designation changed to 10th Australian Recconnaisance Battalion. On 10 Mar 1942 at Wanneroo he was fined 5/- (50 cents) by his Commanding Officer. (Charge not stated in his records). On 28 Apr 1942 Doug was charged with having been AWOL, leading to a fine of 10/- and loss of a day's pay (6/-). Total loss 16/- ($1.60). He was then granted a period of Leave without Pay from 22 May until 10 Jun 1942 after which he rejoined the Light Horse.
On 23 Aug 1942 Doug enlisted in the 2nd AIF, with a new Army number of WX 30918. He entrained for New South Wales on 12 May 1944, transferred to the 1st Australian Base Depot Personnel, arriving there on 27 May 1944. On 6 Jun 1944 Doug transfered to the 1st RAE Training Battalion and following training he was posted tothe 1st Australian Bomb Disposal Platoon on 21 Oct 1944. On 16 Mar 1945 he embarked on USAT Sea Barb in Cairns for Morotai where he disembarked on 28 Mar 1945. He was granted proficiency pay on 20 Apr 1945, and embarked aboard LST?? in Morotai for service in Tarakan on 22 Apr 1945. He returned to Morotai on 18 May 1945 aboard USS LST 637. How he went from Morotai to Macassar is not entered in his Army records, but it is probable he was a member of the Australian force sent to take the Japanese surrender on Sulawesi Island and the Makassar Islands,
Doug was admitted to the 2/6th Australian Field Ambulance on 15 Jan 1946, and on 21 Jan 1946 Doug embarked at Macassar on a Hospital Ship for Sydney, disembarking there on 2 Feb 1946. He was then posted to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot's Discharge Section arriving in Perth on 20 Feb 1946 and he was discharged on 25 Feb 1946.
Post War
In 1951 John married Mavis Lurline Drage. They had five children: Norman, Noeleen, Helen, Susan, Milton. Electoral Roll entries: 1949 Trayning, farm labourer; 1954 - 1958 Kirup, forestry worker; 1963 - 1972 at 80 Outram road Armadale, brick burner.
John also worked as a truck driver for the City of Canning in around 1973 / 1974. He then took ill and passed away in 1975.
When not at work, John enjoyed tinkering in his backyard, particularly working on his car.
Notes
Was born 30th April 1924 and changed his birth date to 1923 in order to enlist in Armadale as a light horseman.