DONNAN, James Caston
| Service Numbers: | Q302327, QX6474, 412120 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 June 1940, Caloundra, Qld, Australia |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 86 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 24 July 1917 |
| Home Town: | Milton, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Ashgrove Primary, Church of England Grammar, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Office Assistant Burns Philip, Brisbane |
| Died: | Flying Accident, New Guinea, 20 November 1943, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Roll of Honour: Brisbane, Queensland, Lae Memorial, Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Lae Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, Q302327 | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Jun 1940: | Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, Q302327, Involvement (Pre-WW2): 16/06/1940, Specifically Unit: Caloundra Training Depot (Australian Infantry); 1st Service Involved. | |
| 16 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, Q302327 | |
| 16 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, Q302327, Caloundra, Qld, Australia | |
| 15 Sep 1940: | Discharged Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, Q302327, Discharge: 15/09/1940, (Pre-WW2 Service) Specifically Unit: Caloundra Training Depot (Australian Infantry). | |
| 28 Nov 1940: | Involvement Lieutenant, QX6474, 2nd/26th Infantry Battalion, WW2 (2nd AIF, 2/26 A.I.Btn) 2nd Service Involved. | |
| 28 Nov 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant, QX6474, 2nd/26th Infantry Battalion | |
| 28 Nov 1940: | Enlisted Lieutenant, QX6474, 2nd/26th Infantry Battalion | |
| 21 Jun 1941: | Discharged Lieutenant, QX6474, 2nd/26th Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Jun 1941: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 412120, No. 86 Squadron (RAAF), Milne Bay - Papua New Guinea WW2, WW2 (RAAF, No. 86 Sqdn) 3rd Service Involved. | |
| 22 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 412120, No. 86 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 22 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 412120 |
Help us honour James Caston Donnan's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Daniel Bishop
Son of James Albert & Janet DONNAN.
Spouse: Dorothy Elsie DONNAN, of Milton, Brisbane City, Queensland.
Biography contributed by David Barlow
Flying Officer Donnan 412120 of 86SQN RAAF was killed when Kittyhawk A29-371 crashed near Kambies Island, Dutch New Guinea - his body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Lae Memorial
Biography contributed by Richard Broome
James Caston Donnan's brothers also served: his older brother Robert Stanton Donnan and younger brother David Melton Donnan.
James was a highly likeable and popular young man and good sportsman. He was head chorister in the choir of St John's Cathedral, Brisbane and won a scholarship to the Church of England Grammar School for his excellence. He also won prizes for his recitations, including the Kirke Cup in 1932 and 1933 in the ANA Eisteddfod, Brisbane.
He transferred from the Army due to foot problems and took to flying with zest.
He married Dorothy Masters while training in Townsville but sadly was lost to his young bride within six months of their marriage. Four years later, after he was finally declared missing in action, Dorothy remarried and moved to America.
Jim is fondly remembered by family on two continents.
Click images to start slideshow.