Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Douglas John Higgins was born on 23rd October, 1924 in Maryborough to John Robert & Jane Watson (Rillie). He grew up in Maryborough & attended the West State School before advancing to the Intermediate then on to Maryborough State High School, After graduating Doug went to work as a shop assistant for Stuparts Manchester Store in Maryborough. WW2 had begun in 1939 so when he turned 18 he enlisted in RAAF. Flying on secret photographic missions, dropping Paratroopers behind enemy lines & airlifting supplies to Australian troops. They engaged in many dangerous encounters while on bombing raid throughout Papua New Guinea & the Coral Sea. He Hudson Bombers & Vengeance, among others. Immediately following the cessation of hostilities, the Squadron began fitting out their B24 Liberator Bombers to fly prisoners from Changi Prison. They fitted floor boards, made from Incendiary Bomb cases into the bomb bay & packed stretchers inside before flying to Singapore. Doug recalled the experience “I believed that to that point I was reasonably hardened to the sights of violent death & injury. However nothing had prepared me or my crew for the sight of the physical state of the prisoners. To the extent that some of the prisoners, though extremely pleased & relieved to be free, did not want their families to see them in the condition they were in. However, the powers that be, had us fly them back to Morotai where they were put on hospital ships such as the Kanimbla, Westralia & Manoora, which had been coastal tourist liners on the Australian Coastal run prior to the war. The ex-prisoners were kept on ship for a period of 3 weeks before returning to Australia. He was present at the Surrender on Morotai on 9th September, 1945, which came as quite a relief to Australian troops & joined in the celebrations. When Doug returned to Australia & was discharged, he found it difficult to adapt to normal civilian life. With another crew mate, who was in a similar situation, they returned to Puerto Pineesa on the island of Palawan for 6 months. Returning to Australia he took up his former position as accountant with Stuparts in Maryborough. Doug worked his way uo to Manager, supervising a large number of staff. He married Daphne Phillis Hinschen (a Proserpine girl) & they had 2 daughters, Judith & Jennifer. Doug & Daphne decided to go into business for themselves & bought a newspaper distribution in Strathpine, the later on a general store. They spent a total of 14 years in the 2 businesses before moving to Proserpine in January 1988 to retire. Sadly Daphne passed away shortly after, in September 1989. During Doug’s lifetime he showed great interest in the Scout Movement, Probus, photography & travel & was secretary for the Proserpine RSL & a valuable member for many years. Each year he would travel to Melbourne for his Annual Reunion of the 24th Squadron & he was deeply proud of his contribution to Australia’s defence. After a short illness Doug passed away in the Proserpine hospital on 23rd May, 1995, greatly missed by everyone who knew him.