NEAVE, Donald Roy
| Service Number: | VX27303 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | COLAC, VIC, 12 March 1920 |
| Home Town: | Wattle Hill, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Watt |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Illness, Ambon, Ambon, Netherlands East Indies, 20 July 1945, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Beech Forest War Memorial, Ringwood Country Roads Board WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, VX27303 | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX27303 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Ian Fox
Donald's older brother Leslie [VX27781] served in the 2/8 Australian Field Company in Greece and Crete. He was also a Prisoner of war and died of injuries in August of 1941.
During this time, Donald’s 2/21 Battalion was in Darwin, moving to Ambon in December 1941. Scott, the commanding officer, despaired at their conditions – difficult communication with the Dutch, transport, air and artillery support, reserves and rations were limited, and they had a small troop compared with the Japanese. Scott was replaced.
By January 31st the Dutch had surrendered and the 2/21st could no longer hold back the Japanese. Many Australians were massacred and those remaining, including Donald, were imprisoned. Conditions on Ambon were harsh and they had limited medical support.
Donald died just 2 months before surrender. Ref: Australian War Memorial site.
[Source: Colac Family History Project/WW2 Honour Roll]
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