Clive MCDONALD

MCDONALD, Clive

Service Number: NX95991
Enlisted: 12 May 1942
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 2nd/33rd Infantry Battalion
Born: Orange, New South Wales, Australia, 13 February 1914
Home Town: Mendooran, Warrumbungle Shire, New South Wales
Schooling: Certificate for entry to Secondary School
Occupation: Labourer
Died: Accidental, New Guinea, 7 September 1943, aged 29 years
Cemetery: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea
CWGC Grave No: Section C. Plot 1. Row E. Grave 1. Inscription: "HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE".
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Mendooran Memorial Wall
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Private, NX95991
12 May 1942: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX95991, 2nd/33rd Infantry Battalion

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Biography contributed by Stephen Bonald

On Tuesday, September 7th, 1943, at Jackson Field in Port Moresby, New Guinea, a B-24D Liberator bomber (The Pride of the Cornhuskers) from the 403rd Bomber Squadron, 43rd Bombing Group USAAF, crashed during take-off, likely due to pilot disorientation in the dark. The aircraft hit trees and slammed into a convoy of trucks carrying over 130 soldiers from D Company, 2/33 Infantry Battalion of the Australian Army, who were waiting to board C-47 transport planes to move to the front lines. The bomber’s 500-pound bombs and 2,800 gallons of fuel exploded, killing 15 Australian soldiers instantly and severely injuring 47 more, who later died. Another 90 soldiers were wounded but survived, all 11 crew members aboard the bomber (The Pride of the Cornhuskers) were killed. Private Clive McDonald – NX95991, was one of the 15 Australian Military personnel who were killed instantly.

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