DAWKINS, Donald Campbell
| Service Number: | SX10192 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | Australian Army Medical Corps (2nd AIF) |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, 22 April 1916 |
| Home Town: | Gawler, Gawler, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Medical Practitioner |
| Died: | Pymble, New South Wales, Australia, 14 August 1993, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Gawler Council WW2 Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Major, SX10192 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Feb 1945: | Discharged Major, Australian Army Medical Corps (2nd AIF) | |
| 3 Feb 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Major, SX10192 | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement | |
| Date unknown: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Major, SX10192 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Annette Summers
DAWKINS Donald Campbell MB BS
1916-1993
Donald Campbell Dawkins was born on 22nd April 1916, at Willaston, SA. He was the son of Percy Campbell Dawkins and Evelyn Grace, nee Wake. His father unsuccessfully nominated for Gawler council in 1935. Dawkins was educated at Prince Alfred College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide graduating MB BS, in 1939. He was a resident medical officer at the RAH in 1940.
Dawkins enlisted in the AIF, in Adelaide, on 1st July 1940, into the AAMC in 3 FdAmb and was later posted to 2/48 Bn as RMO. He, with his unit, embarked for the Middle East on 17th November 1940. This unit served in Cyrenaica and then at El Alamein. He was sick during March 1942. He was reallocated to the 2/3rd FdAmb on 14th September 1942. He returned from the Middle East to Sydney on 27th February 1943. He attended a tropical medicine course, in March 1943, and after leave was sent to Milne Bay, PNG, on 6th August 1943. He was promoted major with the 2/3rd FdAmb on 23rd Aug 1943. He was Mentioned in Dispatches for gallant and distinguished service in the South West Pacific area. Dawkins contracted malaria on 9th January 1944, and although returned to duty on 24th January 1944, he was returned to Brisbane on 10th March 1944. However, 2/3rd FdAmb went on to land near Lae, PNG, with 9th Div. The 9th Div progressively moved around the shore of the Huon Peninsula to Finschhafen which was reached by 22nd September 1944. The 2/3rd FdAmb continued along the north coast with the 9th Division until the Japanese withdrew. Dawkins on arrival back in Australia was medically downgraded due to defective vision. He was reported as being disloyal to his CO and lacking self-discipline on 18th December 1944. However, it was later recorded that this was not the case, and the matter was not considered to be misconduct during service. His appointment was terminated on the 3rd February 1945.
Dawkins married Margaret McFadden, the daughter of Mr and Mrs WA McFadden of Pymble NSW, on 15th May 1945, at St Margaret’s Church, Turramurra. They were later to divorce. He went on to practice in New South Wales from 1951, living at 280 Pacific Highway, Pymble. Donald Campbell Dawkins died on 14th August 1993 in Pymble, NSW.
Source
Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2.
Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019.
Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD
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