Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Completed by Christian Brother's College

Doug was born on the 25th of March 1924 in Prospect, South Australia. During his early life, his mother contracted tuberculosis, and while she was being nursed, Doug lived with his grandparents on the Moeller side of the family on the corner of Beulah and George Streets, Norwood.  After his mother died and his father remarried, he moved back in with his father and now stepmother. Doug spent many years being tested for tuberculosis due to his contact with his mother while she was ill.

Doug attended Prospect and Nailsworth schools. At the age of 14, he began his job delivering supplies to doctors and hospitals for a manufacturing chemist called F.H. Faulding, located at James Place in Adelaide. He began his delivery on a bicycle but was later convinced to learn how to ride a motorcycle and bought a 1012 Harley Motor bike, which had a side box to carry the supplies. This sped up his delivery rounds significantly.

13th Small Ships division

On the 24th of May 1943, at the age of 19, Doug enlisted in the army in South Australia. He served 4 years in the army, serving in various departments, primarily the 13th Small Ships Water Transport. This unit (dubbed the little ships by those who worked on them) was responsible for shipping troops, supplies and equipment to places that larger vessels couldn’t. They were also responsible for evacuating wounded soldiers. These small ships were essential to the Allied operations in the Pacific; they operated under harsh and hazardous conditions, often having to improvise to solve issues at hand. As the war raged on, these divisions became indispensable to the war effort.

Many of the recruits who worked on these ships were inexperienced, having to learn as they went along. Despite this, they showed ingenuity and bravery providing the same amount of support to the war effort as those in combat roles. With a common purpose and determination, they were able to achieve great feats. They were the lifeblood of the support.

Despite this fact, they went largely unrecognised for their efforts until 2009, when those who served in the small ship divisions received imperial campaign awards.

Malaria testing

In addition to his work in the 13th Small Ships Water Transport unit, Doug signed up to be a test subject for research on malaria treatments in Atherton, Queensland. During this period of the war, malaria was one of the greatest enemies of the Australian armed forces in the southwest Pacific as it took many troops out of action and jeopardised their chance of victory against the Japanese in New Guinea. The volunteers of these trials were exposed to mosquitoes that fed on the blood of the infected soldiers.

 These mosquitoes then transferred the disease to the test subjects. After the volunteers were infected, test drugs were administered to assess the effectiveness of each drug/treatment.  The regiment for testing was extremely strict, and during these tests, Doug’s skin turned yellow, and he became extremely sick, but he eventually recovered from this condition.

The tests were ultimately successful, leading to the discovery of a treatment called Atebrin. The role the volunteers played was extremely vital to getting troops back on the front lines and turning the tide of the war in Australia’s favour. The volunteers went through extreme trials, which were taxing on them and their bodies, all for the greater good of their fellow soldiers.

Post War

Doug’s last posting was with the Australian Ordinance Vehicle Park Company. Doug was honourably discharged on the 1st of July 1946. Returning to his home in Adelaide, he took on the role of a postman. Doug went on to marry his wife, Jean Elizabeth Thomas (Betty), on the 17th of May 1947.

Doug had many other occupations after the war, such as overseeing the Wonderland Ballroom, the Forum Coffee Lounge, gas meter reader, tramways worker and running various greengrocery/deli shops. In these jobs, he took pride in providing exceptional services to his customers, earning the respect of the community. His service was recognised when he was mentioned in a newspaper applauding his friendly attitude and great service. He was described as “An ever-smiling courteous man who made customers feel wanted. Qualities the hospitality trade only benefit from”.  

Doug went on to have 3 children with his wife Betty and travelled the world with her, visiting countries such as India, Japan and the USA. Doug retired in 1995 to a unit in Kingswood at the age of 71. He passed away peacefully with his wife Betty by his side on the 12th of April 2015 at the age of 91 due to complications following surgery.

References

Graham, A and Zweck, L (2002), Fritz Moeller & Sophie Luck – Migrants from Mecklenburg.

Sweeney, T. (2003), Malaria Frontline – Australian Army Research During World War II, Melbourne University Publishers

Barbara Hand, interview

Prosser, C (2010), The War on Malaria, www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/the-war-on-malaria

Australian Defence Force, Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute – History, www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/wellbeing/adf-malaria-infectious-disease-institute/history

BirtwistleWiki, 13th Australian Water Transport Operating Company (Small Craft), https://birtwistlewiki.com.au/wiki/13th_Australian_Water_Transport_Operating_Company_(Small_Craft)