TUNBRIDGE, Donald Vivian
| Service Number: | 416644 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 July 1941, Adelaide, SA |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 8 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Adelaide South Australia, 8 December 1920 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Woodville High School, St.Peter's College Adelaide |
| Occupation: | Insurance agent |
| Died: | Killed in action, body never recovered, New Guinea, 24 November 1944, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Lae Memorial, St Clair Woodville High School Honour Roll, St Peters - St Peter's College WW2 Honour Roll, Woodville Saint Margaret's Church WW2 Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 21 Jul 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 416644, No. 8 Squadron (RAAF), Adelaide, SA |
|---|
Help us honour Donald Vivian Tunbridge's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Daryl Jones
Son of Percy Frank and Winifred May Tunbridge, of Woodville. South Australia.
Biography contributed by Woodville High School
Donald Vivian Tunbridge was born on 8 December 1920 in Woodville, South Australia, to parents Percy Frank and Winifred May Tunbridge. He grew up in Woodville and attended Woodville High School and St Peter’s College in Adelaide. After school he became an Insurance Agent.
Donald Tunbridge enlisted at the age of 20 on the 21st of July 1941 in Adelaide, South Australia. At the time of his enlistment, his physical description was dark brown hair, dark eyes, a medium build and tall. Donald Vivian Tunbridge served as a Warrant Officer in No. 8 Squadron, RAAF and was reported missing during air operations on 24 November 1944 over New Guinea at the age of 23.
Donald Vivian Tunbridge enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 21st July 1941, in Adelaide, South Australia. His embarkation and subsequent service took him to the Pacific theatre, specifically to New Guinea, where he was involved in air operations with No. 8 Squadron.
Donald Vivian Tunbridge was mustered into service with the Royal Australian Air Force on 21 July 1941 in Adelaide, South Australia, and was allotted to No. 8 Squadron RAAF as a Warrant Officer. His overall experience of war was typified by operational flying in the Pacific theatre in particular, New Guinea where grueling jungle environments and dangerous air operations defined his service. These included a number of antisubmarine sweeps and coastal patrols, which were crucial for the defense of Allied supply lines and operations in those regions.
Tragically, he died in service on 24 November 1944 when Beaufort A9-567 was lost near Tadji during an anti submarine sweep, the wreckage was sighted near Ali Island but no trace of the crew was found, marking his ultimate sacrifice. There is no evidence that Donald returned home. After his death, he was commemorated at the Lae Memorial in Papua New Guinea, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and locally in Woodville, SA, where his loss was noted on honour rolls and in war memorial records. His family and community mourned his death, such losses were frequently acknowledged in local newspapers, memorial notices, and community tributes.
Click images to start slideshow.