Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Donald Sydney LOOKER (1923-2025)

Kensington Cap No 85, Looker was a member of the 1945/46 A Grade premiership side in his first season after returning from combat in the skies over Germany.

Looker was 18 when he made his A Grade debut against Vic Richardson’s Sturt at Unley Oval in November, 1941. Batting at No 6, he made a brisk 26 before, according to Looker, he was run out by Mick Walkley. “I’m still angry at him,” Looker said 80 years later.

Looker played A Grade during Don Bradman’s twilight at KDCC, and had first-hand experience of Clarrie Grimmett’s genius. He recalled an occasion when West Torrens’s Phil Ridings strode to the wicket and Grimmett directed the teenager to first slip. Looker said he was no good in the slips but Grimmett was having none of that. “Just stand right there and hold your hands out,” the bowler said. “About three balls later Ridings edged it straight into my hands.”

He recalled meeting Don Bradman at an early-season net at Adelaide No 2. Bradman sized him up and called him over. “Are you wearing a box son?” Bradman asked. Looker said he was not, rectified the deficiency, and returned to his net. “A couple of balls later I got hit fair and square and it just about turned it inside out,” Looker said.

Looker enlisted in 1942, and was posted to Bomber Command in Britain. He flew 38 missions in Lancaster bombers as a wireless operator/air gunner with 115 Squadron RAF. Aircrew were spelled after 30 operations but Looker’s skipper volunteered his crew for eight more than their quota. “He was completely fearless,” Looker says. “Instead of weaving to evade the flak he flew straight through it. We got a few holes, obviously, but none of our crew ever got hit.” Looker’s final mission was a 300-bomber raid on April 9, 1945, that capsized German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer in Kiel Harbour. “We all bombed it and we all claimed we sank it,” Looker said.

Looker rejoined the club after the war and was selected at No 4, after first drop Neil Dansie and before No 5 Bruce Bowley (Bradman did not play in 1945/46). In a season decided on minor round results, the Browns finished top with six wins, two draws and a loss. The club’s second A Grade premiership was the ultimate team effort from a side comprised of mostly veterans who returned to playing almost immediately after being demobbed.

Looker played one more season for the Browns before work and family commitments compelled a transfer to Payneham. Ten years later he turned out for the club’s new D Grade side in A3 of Adelaide Turf.

Courtesy of Andrew Faulkner