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Douglas was the third son of Walter Alexander and Ida Margaret Cameron, born on the 7th September 1915. The farming family lived in the country town of Curramulka on the Yorke Peninsula. Doug was one of five children with three brothers, Alexander Winstanley, John Dawson and Colin Bruce plus a sister Heather.
As a six-year-old Doug was one of many children involved in a fancy dress frolic as part of fundraising for the Curramulka School. Families from surrounding districts were part of the huge supportive group at the Institute where Laurie Polkinghorne and Doug Cameron dressed as a pair of Red Indians and sang "Redwing."
Curramulka developed a strong football and cricket reputation, playing in the Southern Yorke Peninsula League. As a fifteen-year-old, Doug and his brothers were part of the S.V.P. Schools' Sports Association, playing for Warooka which had a stunning, narrow win against previously undefeated Yorketown, winning by three runs. They were coached by Walter, who in later years was also patron of the local football team, including in 1934 and ‘35. These were stand-out years for the Curramulka Football team, taking out successive Premierships each year. Walter was President and John, Secretary. Doug and Stuart Martin, who were later to enlist together, were both part of the Premiership team.
Post school, Doug worked on the family farm as well as other properties. His parents were highly regarded in the community as Ida was a creative cake decorator and Walter frequently spoke on behalf of others in the local community at functions, including 21st birthday celebrations. For Doug’s own 21st, his family entertained friends at a neighbour’s barn, with dancing and a typical country supper being the features. Doug’s older brother, John acted as the Master of Ceremonies, followed by Walter making a humorous speech before presenting Doug with the traditional 21st key.
The following month Doug was involved in the Men’s Sheffield event as part of the Light Horse Athletic and Cycling events, coming second in his category.
Two years later, Doug spent several months working at Tennant Creek, returning to Curramulka in time for Christmas. The following year his older brother, John married in St. Christopher's Church, Curramulka in April ’39 having Doug as his best man and sister, Heather as one of the bridesmaids.
By March ’40 Doug proposed to Ruth Elenor Myora Pritchard originally of Mount Gambier. That same year he also became increasingly involved with farming practices, including the Agricultural Bureau which opened a new branch at Curramulka, and Doug was appointed as Honorary Secretary.
However, WWII intervened. As it unfolded, huge enlistment drives were held in country regions, aimed at fit, single young men. The drive was exceptionally successful with 24-year-old Doug enlisted on the 21st June ’40 at Minlaton. He was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion as SX8847. The local Pioneer in July listed other young men from the area who had enlisted ‘Messrs. Doug. Cameron, Stuart Martin, Pat Whyte, Jim Travis, who have enlisted for Overseas Service, entered Wayville Camp on Monday.’ All were involved in farming and fortuitously were all allocated to the 2/48th Battalion together. Stewart was SX8871, James SX8872 and Patrick SX8874. Their early army days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before they heading to Woodside for preliminary training.
Knowing he would be sent overseas, Doug and Ruth quickly organised their wedding, marrying on the 30th October. The Advertiser carried the news ‘CAMERON—PRITCHARD.—The marriage of Ruth Myora, only daughter of Mr and Mrs B. P. Prichard. of Mount Gambler and Adelaide, to Pte. Douglas Dawson. of the 2/48th Battalion, AIF. third son of Mr. and Mrs W. A. Cameron, of Curramulka, Y.P, was quietly solemnised in Adelaide on the 30th of October 1940.’ Back home in November on pre-embarkation leave, Walter and Ida organised a celebration with a number of friends in honour of the two newly-weds. Ida’s parents were guests at the Cameron’s farm.
Following pre-embarkation leave the 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 17th November 1940, disembarking on the 17th December. The young men then completed a few months training in Cyrenaica facing dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment when in Tobruk.
Douglas’ parents were very supportive of those who had enlisted, including the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund Curramulka Unit No. 220, including collecting provisions for the young men serving abroad. Walter was one of many who donated a packet of cigarettes each week to be sent to the troops. He and Ida also held Bridge evenings in their home to fund raise.
Those in the 2/48th Battalion had barely arrived in the Middle East when in May ‘41 Doug received a gunshot wound to his right arm, resulting in him being evacuated to hospital. Doug’s injuries occurred in the fierce fighting for Hill 209 which also claimed the lives of seven others.
John Glenn in his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ described conditions that day at Dimra: “At 3:50am on 1st May the men of the 2/48th stood-to to await the outcome of the battle which had raged all through the night. In thick mist, darkness, and bitter cold they snatched a quick breakfast of bully beef and hard biscuits.” In an attempt to take Hill 209 in the heavy dust storm marked by overhead enemy aircraft targeting their carrying vehicles, ‘D Company moved out steadily with two platoons forward- 18 Platoon under Lieutenant Larkins on the right and 17 Platoon with Sergeant Tonkin in command on the left.’ ‘The company then moved well forward under control, and came under small arms fire, but continued until they came under very heavy machine-gun fire from the direction of the Water Point and Post S4.’ The remainder of that day was chaotic, information scant, the men weary and under heavy fire and a raging sandstorm.’
The 22nd May ’41 edition of the Chronicle listed those from the 2/48th Battalion who were wounded with Harry. They included Died of Wounds.— Pte. Robert T. Christie, SX8273, Angaston (previously reported wounded in action). Wounded in Action.— Pte. Lancelot W. Braidwood. SX7652, Adelaide; Pte. Douglas D. Cameron, SX8847, Curramulka; A/Cpl. Wallace M. Clegg, SX6947, Joslin; Pte. John W. P. Digan, SX9092, Adelaide; Pte. Harold E. Harris, SX7454, North Croydon; Pte. Blake H. Mclnnes, SX7877, Lancaster; Pte. Alfred W. Morris, SX7798 Norwood; and Pte. Milford R. Uzzell, SX7478, Stepney.
With the arrival of this news, Ruth visited Doug’s parents in Curramulka to find out more detail. The Pioneer reported that ‘News has been received by Mr and Mrs. W. A. Cameron that their son, Private Doug. Cameron, has been wounded.’
By July Doug was judged to be fit for duties, excluding ‘active service with field placements.’ Several changes followed, with Doug serving in the Postal Unit and the Infantry Special group. It was obvious that Doug’s injured right arm had not healed fully as he was then hospitalised to remove his right radial nerve, which assists in movement of the elbow, wrist, hand and fingers an injury connected to the previous fracture of his right humerus. Finally, in March ’42 Doug was able to return to his 2/48th Battalion. By October that year Doug had developed neuritis in his injured right arm, affecting movement of his shoulder and arm and was evacuated to a British General Hospital. Unfortunately, he developed Infectious Hepatitis early in January, so was more that delighted to be leaving the Middle East to return to Australia, via Sydney in February ’43. He then returned to Adelaide with his parents travelling down from Curramulka to meet him.
As a farmer, Doug was granted a month of seasonal leave (but without pay). On his return to service, Doug’s medical condition was still for restricted duties, but by September he was adjudged to be ‘fit for all duties’. Fortunately for Doug, farming was considered an essential service, which contributed to him being discharged on the 16th October ’43, with a new suit to wear.
Within months of his discharge, Doug’s much-loved mother died unexpectedly in ‘44 with the Advertiser carrying the announcement. ‘CAMERON.—On June 22, at Curramulka (suddenly), Ida Margaret, dearly beloved wife of Walter A. Cameron, and loving mother of Alick (W.A.), Jack, Doug., Heather, and Bruce. Aged 57 years.
Having fought for his country, Douglas also turned his efforts to his local community, nominating for a vacancy in the Curramulka Ward in September ’45, one of four candidates. (This was eventually won by Victor Tucker.) By July ’52 Walter transferred ownership of the family farm with adjoining sections going to John and Doug. Walter lived to see his sons succeed on the farms, including Doug selling quality weathers in the early ‘50’s. Aged 81 Walter died on the 3rd April ’59.
Unfortunately, when Doug’s hard-earned medals were posted, they were sent to the last-held address, which was Ruth’s at Glenburnie, Mount Gambier and were therefore not delivered. It took an enquiry by Doug for his medals, the 1939-45 and African Star, Defence and Australian Service Medal to arrive in 1955.
Aged 65, Doug died on the 14th April 1981. He was buried in the Curramulka Cemetery. Ruth Elenor Myora lived for a further two decades until the 8th November 2012 and was buried in the Enfield Memorial Park Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.