Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Don joined the RAAF on 6 August 1940 at Adelaide South Australia.

On the morning of 2 June 1945, Don was standing alongside the open left hand cabin door of a squadron truck watching two mechanical fitters strip and clean the carburettor using some petrol in a tin (estimated to be about 3 – 4 fluid ounces).  The carburettor was reassembled except for the fitment of the air cleaner.

An attempt was made to start the vehicle, resulting in a blow back, which ignited the tin of petrol that was being held by one of the fitters.  Don apparently stepped back from beside the door in an effort to avoid the burning liquid.  The tin was thrown out of the cabin, striking the door and the contents splashed backwards over Don’s body.  He rolled in the sand to extinguish the flames.

First aid (including Morphia) was rendered by ambulance personnel and he was then transported to No. 20 MCS where he was admitted at 0930 hrs (9.30 am).  He was found to be suffering from extensive 1st and 2nd degree burns to the upper part of his body.  Penicillin was administered, however, by 1945 hrs (7.45 pm) he had been placed on the seriously ill list.  Shortly after 2000 hrs (8.00 pm), with his condition deteriorating, he was placed on oxygen.  He died at 2145 hrs (9.45 pm) that night.

Don was initially buried in grave BC 15 of Aitape Australian War Cemetery at 1600 hrs (4.00 pm) on 3 June 1945 by Methodist Chaplain A. Simpson in the presence of about 100 of his comrades.  His body was later moved to his final resting place at Lot PP.C.9 of the Lae War Cemetery.