Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Christopher Douglas (Douglas Christopher) Pollard

Born: 16 March 1920 – Angaston, South Australia

Died: 12 August 1985 – Hillcrest, South Australia

Buried: Enfield Memorial Park, Catholic Section, Row BB, Site 37

Parents: William Christopher Pollard and Bertha Elsie (née Schulz)

Spouse: Margaret Ellen Hatch (1908–1973)

Occupation: Painter, later motor driver

Religion: Church of England

Early Life

Christopher Douglas Pollard—often recorded with his given names in reverse order as Douglas Christopher Pollard—was born on 16 March 1920 in Angaston, a township in South Australia's Barossa Valley.

He was the son of William Christopher Pollard, a local tradesman, and Bertha Elsie Pollard (née Schulz). Douglas was educated locally and later worked as a painter, a trade he continued both before and after his military service.

His birth was registered in the Angaston district, recorded as:

Pollard, Christopher Douglas – born 16 March 1920, parents William Christopher Pollard and Bertha Elsie Schulz (Book 54A/100, District Angaston).

World War II Service

Douglas enlisted in the Australian Military Forces on 10 December 1941 at Woodside, South Australia, joining the 48th Field Battery under the service number S11477.

He was 21 years old and single, listing his father William Pollard of Nuriootpa as next of kin. His occupation was recorded as painter, and his physical description included dark brown hair and blue eyes.

After serving initially in the Citizen Military Forces (CMF), he volunteered for overseas service and transferred to the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 13 July 1942 at Frankston, Victoria, receiving a new service number SX26108. He was posted to the 13th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA).

During his service, Douglas was promoted to Corporal, reflecting his leadership and reliability.

Active Service

Between 1943 and 1945, Corporal Pollard served both in Australia and New Guinea, attached to the 13th Field Regiment, RAA, and related artillery and composite anti-aircraft units.

His record shows embarkation aboard the Thedens from Townsville on 15 October 1943, disembarking at Port Moresby on 18 October 1943, where he joined the 7th Australian Division Artillery in the New Guinea campaign.

He served a total of 1,380 days, comprising 1,053 days in Australia and 202 days overseas on active service. His record notes brief hospital admissions for illness, transfers between training and field batteries, and a formal reprimand for a minor routine infraction in 1943—typical of long deployments.

He was formally discharged from the A.I.F. on 19 September 1945 with the rank of Corporal, after nearly four years of continuous service.

Marriage

While serving, Douglas married Margaret Ellen Hatch on 18 September 1942 at Adelaide.

His service file was updated to list her as next of kin:

Wife – Margaret Ellen Pollard, 262 Unley Road, Unley, S.A.

The couple later made their home in Windsor Gardens and Hillcrest, Adelaide, and had one daughter, Geraldine. They were later grandparents to John and Paul.

Medals and Postwar Life

Upon discharge, Douglas was entitled to the following campaign medals:

Pacific Star
War Medal 1939–45
Defence Medal
Australia Service Medal 1939–45

These were officially confirmed and dispatched to him in 1977, following his letter to the Medal Records Section at Victoria Barracks dated 28 July 1977, written from his home at Lot 181, Blanchetown, South Australia.

In that letter, Douglas wrote:

"I hereby apply for my Service Medals 1939–45… I would appreciate you're forwarding any medals due to me at your convenience."

After the war, he worked as a painter and motor driver, and a 1961 classification memo lists him as employed in an essential industry during Australia's postwar reconstruction period.

Death and Commemoration

Douglas Christopher Pollard died on 12 August 1985, aged 65, at 10 Nizam Street, Hillcrest, and was buried on 16 August 1985 in Enfield Memorial Park.

He rests beside his wife Margaret Ellen Pollard, who died in 1973.

Their joint headstone reads:

Loved mother and father of Geraldine.

Mother-in-law and father-in-law of David.

Nanna and Pa of John & Paul.

Legacy

Corporal Pollard's military record stands as a testament to the many ordinary Australians who served in the artillery through the long years of the Pacific War. His life journey—from rural South Australia to the jungles of New Guinea, and back to a quiet postwar life in Adelaide—reflects the strength and endurance of his generation.

He is remembered for his dedication to service, family, and country.

Sources

South Australian Births Index (1842–1928) – Entry: Pollard, Christopher Douglas, born 16 March 1920, Angaston, parents William Christopher Pollard & Bertha Elsie Schulz, Book 54A/100, District Angaston.
Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence, Medal Entitlement Summary, 1977 (Victoria Barracks, Melbourne).
South Australian Deaths Index (1916–1972) and Enfield Memorial Park burial register: Pollard, Christopher Douglas – died 12 August 1985, aged 65, of Hillcrest; buried Catholic Section, Row BB, Site 37; spouse Margaret Ellen Pollard.
Marriage Record – Pollard, Christopher Douglas, aged 22, married Margaret Ellen Hatch, aged 34, on 18 September 1942, Office of the Principal Registrar, Flinders Street, Adelaide, Book 447/6032.
Tombstone Inscription – Enfield Memorial Park
National Archives of Australia, Service Record of Pollard, Douglas Christopher (SX26108), Series B883.
Attestation and Mobilization Forms (S11477, SX26108)
Service and Casualty Forms (13th Field Regiment, RAA)
Extraction Sheet and Medals Correspondence (1941–1977)
Letter applying for medals, Lot 181 Blanchetown, dated 28 July 1977

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 26/10/2025