Douglas Raymond NELSON

NELSON, Douglas Raymond

Service Number: 20960
Enlisted: 30 January 1941, Sydney, NSW
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: No. 7 Operational Training Unit RAAF Tocumwal
Born: Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 16 June 1920
Home Town: Werris Creek, Liverpool Plains, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Apprentice Electrician
Died: Ground Accident, Yarrawonga, Victoria, Australia, 24 February 1945, aged 24 years
Cemetery: Tocumwal War Cemetery Cemetery
Plot B Row A Grave 2
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Corporal, 20960, No. 7 Operational Training Unit RAAF Tocumwal
30 Jan 1941: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Corporal, 20960, Sydney, NSW

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of Reginald Zephiniah Nelson and Mary Ann Nelson, of Hamilton East.

Douglas Raymond Nelson was 20 years old and worked for his local Shire Council as an apprentice Electrician.  On 20 January 1941 he enlisted in the RAAF as an Electrical Fitter, serving in many locations until 14 April 1944 when he was posted to 7 OTU at Tocumwal to work on Spitfire aircraft.

On 24 Feburary 1945 Douglas spent the afternoon between the Mulwala Regatta and Yarrawonga Racecourse travelling on a motorcycle with passenger Ronald Tucker.  While crossing an intersection the motorcycle impacted a vehicle.  His passenger survived, however, Corporal Nelson sustained fatal head injuries.

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