Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Don was born at Cookes Plains on the 9th July 1919 to John and Maud Wing. With the declaration of War so many Riverland young men enlisted within a few days. Talented racing cyclists, John McFarlane and Don both travelled from Cobdogla to Glossop to register to serve on June 21st 1940, just before Don’s 20th birthday. Don became SX7969. Others from Cobdogla included the two Semmens brothers, Vic and Lew and Don’s older brother, John (SX7988) who enlisted soon after on 5th July 1940. By the 8th the Wing brothers and Albert Matthews (SX7503) had left for Adelaide on the train from Barmera. They were all to be allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion.
While training at the Wayville Showgrounds Don was diagnosed with radial paralysis affecting the muscles of his wrist and hand for which he received some treatment. He initially had leave in September, spending this back in the Riverland, as did other enlistees from Cobdogla, including John and Murray McFarlane, and others in the 2/48th Battalion; Albert Matthews SX7503 and Lewis Semmens SX7189. Don and his brother then returned for pre-embarkation leave to return in December where a large crowd gathered at the Cobdogla Hall to honour the two new Privates. Each soldier was presented with a fountain pen and gifts from the Social Club. The two brothers thanked everyone before the traditional dancing, supper and the evening closed with all singing "Auld Lang Syne."
All of the Cobdogla enlistees left for the Middle East on the Stratherden, which Don was also to have done. However, his departure was delayed until February the following year, with him arriving in the Middle East on the 23rd March ’41. His hand and wrist were still causing complications, required physiotherapy at the Australian run Hospital. Don was eventually re-allocated to the 33/23; subsequently classified as ‘fit for duties other than active service with field formations’, ultimately being transferred to the Depot Battalion in January ‘43 where he was promoted to Corporal.
Don finally left the Middle East and arrived back in Sydney, then Adelaide before travelling back to Cobdogla. He proposed to Dulcie Taylor of Norwood in June of ’43 before the two were married on the 23rd October 1943 at St. Bartholomew's Church at Norwood.
Eventually Don was allocated to the 25th Garrison Battalion but by August ’44 his mental health had deteriorated as he continued to suffer a form of ‘pins and needles’ in his hand as well as an elbow injury. He was transferred to the Riverland based Loveday Camp, just out of Barmera in November. The Camp was well established by then and covered approximately 180 hectares. It housed POWs predominantly from Germany, Italy and Japan. At its peak it housed over 5,000 internees as well as 1,500 Military personnel and comprised a hospital and quite extensive, irrigated land which the POWs cultivated. A number of the POWs were also able to be billeted out to work as minimally paid labourers for local farmers and orchardists. The last internees were released in February 1946.
Don was finally discharged in July 13th ’45. The local Riverland community held a huge welcome home in the Bonney Theatre in Barmera. It was a way for locals to say ‘Thank you’ to those who had already returned to civil life, and there were plans to have a similar gathering when all the young men of the district returned, and the war against Japan was successfully concluded. Representatives of the State Branch of the RSL. and the local Fathers Association, assured the guests of the full support of the organization and had the interests of the returned man at heart. Their vow was to ‘leave no stone unturned to see that the discharged men were assisted to take up civil life to their own volition. The members of the 1st AIF were ever ready to assist the new Digger to make a fresh start in life.’
Dulcie and Don welcomed a daughter in December ’46 and a son in ’53. Five years later, Don’s medals were posted to him. He was awarded the Defence Medal, War Medal and ASM.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.