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The McKinnon family were fourth generation residents of Mt Gambier in the south-east of South Australia. Don was the second son, born on the 13th June, 1923 to Coral Clark Kay and Neil Henry McKinnon. His older brother, born in 1919, carried on the family name of Neil, given to the first-born son. The family were strong Catholics and extremely proud of their Scottish heritage and involvement in the Caledonian Society but at times the frugality associated with this came to the fore when the boys were young. Their father was caught ‘watering down’ milk by 25% and despite protestations, was fined.
Don attended the local Maurist Brothers’ College at Mt Gambier and was also a regular member of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment which he joined in February ‘39. At that stage he was working as a shop assistant. With WWII erupting, active enlistments were sought, particularly in country regions with the aim of attracting fit, young, single men. The local Mount Gambier Drill Hall was used to receive those who were enlisting prior to undertaking medical examinations. At the time the Depression was a major influence on the lack of employment opportunities and was an added incentive to enlist. This was reflected in the local Border Watch newspaper of May ’40 which reported that ‘Among the recruits who reached Adelaide this morning were three men who, as strangers, enlisted at Mount Gambler, They were practically destitute, and their plight was communicated to the local committee controlling the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund. Hampers were arranged for the use of the men enroute to Adelaide and were forwarded to the drill hall for distribution. ‘
That edition of the newspaper also listed those who left Mount Gambier on the train on Monday 20th May, including Stanley G. Francis, Mount Gambier David Cameron, Nelson, Leslie J. Battye, Kalangadoo, George A. Wheeler, Mount Gambier Donald W. McKinnon, Mount Gambier. Alan D. Elsogood, Mount Gambier Bernard L. O'Connor, Apsley, Lindsay G. Forster, Edenhope, Francis G. Robertson, Edenhope and Maurice E, Jones, Kalangadoo.
Aged 17, Don who by that time was working as a labourer, then enlisted on the 21st May 1940, initially claiming that he was 21 and born in 1918, (an therefore technically older than Neil) an error that was not corrected with his accurate birth date at his death. Don was allocated the number SX3156 in the 8th Division. His early days of training were at Woodside, where in the July winter he contracted influenza. By this time, his older brother, Keith had also enlisted on June 25 as SX6740 with the 2/48th Battalion.
Don sailed for the Middle East in April the following year, arriving in Dimra in August. By February the following year he had contracted jaundice, causing him to spend a month in a variety of hospitals until he was able to re-join his unit. Unfortunately, conditions in the desert caused further skin inflammation in August, with him being treated by New Zealand medical staff. Back with his battalion, Don’s attempts to ‘explore’ the region in March ’42 was costly when he decided to leave the designated barrack limits and was caught. The fine of 6/6 pence was a frustrating result.
By March ’43 Don and Neil had both left the Middle East, returning to Australia via Sydney and thence home on leave. Back home relatives anxiously waited for news of when their sons would return, although there was no official notification. However, the ‘bush telegraph’ was soon buzzing in Mount Gambier that the Saturday evening train from Adelaide would carry many local boys returning from the Middle East. The local Border Watch reported that ‘the railway station was crowded as never before. The Railway authorities showed much consideration for wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and sweethearts who were awaiting the return of their loved ones, and amid cheers the train arrived right on time, and a crowd of a thousand people were on their toes as it steamed in.’ The men were greeted by the Citizens’ Band and Pipe Bands.
A huge welcome was given at the Civic Hall with returning men praising the magnificent work done by the F.F.C.F., the Salvation Army, Red Cross, and the nursing sisters in supporting those serving overseas. Both brothers, Lieutenant Neil and Private Don McKinnon were amongst those honoured by local families and friends.
In September, the Red Cross conducted a photo competition to raise funds for their Anniversary Week. Don was a popular candidate with his supporters amassing 82,604 votes and raising a huge total of £344/3/7. In all, the competition raised a total of £1,060/7/1. As part of the fund-raising, Don was involved in a boxing competition held in the Civic Hall in October, with his father, Neil providing one of the trophies.
Soon after Don was transferred from the 2/9th Calvary Regiment and in March ’44 joined the 2/48th Battalion where his brother Neil had risen to the rank of Sergeant. Training in Queensland followed as the Battalion prepared for tropical conditions in New Guinea and a very different enemy. Again, Don received a financial fine of £6 for not appearing at a parade in March ’45.
By May ’45 he left Townsville and arrived at Morotai and thence to Tarakan. Horrifically, within days, aged just 21, Don was killed in action at Tarakan, Borneo on the 6th May ’45. Initially his fellow soldiers buried him in the field.
Back home, Don’s death was announced in the May edition of the Advertiser ‘Mr. and Mrs. Neil McKinnon. of Ellis street, Mt. Gambier. have received word that their second son ,Pte. D. W. (Don) McKinnon. 21. was killed in action on May 6. 1945. Pte. McKinnon saw service with the 9th Division in the Middle East at Syria and El Alamein. He received his education at Marist Brothers College.’ In a later edition they added ‘He took part in the Syrian campaign at the age of 18, and later fought at El Alamein.’ The local Border Watch added that ‘He had lived in Mt. Gambler all his life until he enlisted five years ago. His elder brother, Lieut. Neil McKinnon, had seen service in the Middle East, and at present is attending an officers' training course at Duntroon. Lieut. Mc.Kinnon is arriving home today by aeroplane.
John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan outlined the effectiveness of supporting fire by artillery and mortars. However, the Japanese had perfected the art of climbing trees, just waiting for a clear shot. Lieutenant Burke, to reassure his Platoon ‘had stood up at dawn and said, “There are no sniper in this area.” Hardly had he finished speaking when he fell, mortally wounded. He had been shot by a sniper who was concealed among trees on a small hillock twenty yards from C Company.’ The previous day this jap had killed D.W. McKinnon and Captain Gooden’s brother Eric (SX8911). ‘Before he himself was shot he would add two more names to the list of our dead: Private Merv W. Arnold (SX19552) and Private W.G. (Finlay)Barnett (SX10571).’
By August that year Don was re-buried in the Labuan War Cemetery Malaysia in Row 15, Plot B Grave 13. He now rests with his fellow 2/48th Battalion soldiers, 23-year-old WX26698 Private Keith Mort from Bunbury, killed on the same day, and SX10571 26-year-old Lance Corporal William George Finlay Barnett from Naracoorte who died the following day. They are also surrounded by men from the 2/24th Battalion. By this time, Don’s correct age and birth date were found through a Statutory Declaration, acknowledging that he was just 21 years old. Referencing the exploits of Donald Bradman, his parents chose the inscription ‘Our ‘Don’ He died that we might live’ referencing the brilliant cricketer, arguably the greatest cricketer in history.
Don continued to be remembered by the Marist Brothers Agricultural College Old Collegians' Association at their ’46 general meeting. The Annual Report included an expression of sincere sympathy for the relatives of past students killed during the war. They included the late Tpr. M. Ronan, Pte. D. McKinnon, Tpr. O. Phelan and Flt./Sgt. B. Kain. That same year Don’s family published their thanks to the community through the Border Watch newspaper in April stating that ‘The relatives of the late Donald McKinnon wish to sincerely THANK all kind friends and relatives for cards, letters, floral tributes and personal expressions of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement. Special thanks to Dr. Hawkins and all who helped in our time of sorrow. Will all please accept this as our sincere thanks.’
During the ’47 Anzac service attended by over a thousand people at the local Vansittart Park Memorial, a floral wreath was laid in memory of Don, alongside others laid by the Presidents of the RSL, Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women, and Demobilised Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Association. This action continued in the ensuing years.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.