Donald Lionel WALLACE

WALLACE, Donald Lionel

Service Number: 13028
Enlisted: 4 September 1952, 5 Recruit Training Company A.R.A No. 2 Platoon December 1952
Last Rank: Lance Corporal
Last Unit: 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR)
Born: Biloela, Queensland, Australia, 19 June 1931
Home Town: Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: No employment after Discharge
Died: Suicide, Brisbane, Queensland , Australia, 2 February 1974, aged 42 years
Cemetery: Not yet discovered
Memorials:
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Korean War Service

4 Sep 1952: Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 13028, 5 Recruit Training Company A.R.A No. 2 Platoon December 1952
20 Mar 1954: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 13028, 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR)
31 Mar 1954: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, 13028

Malayan Emergency Service

8 Oct 1955: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Lance Corporal, 13028, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR)
16 Oct 1958: Discharged Australian Army (Post WW2), Lance Corporal, 13028, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR)

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Biography contributed by Ben Donnelly

Donald Wallace was my Uncle on my mother's (Veronica) side. All Don's family have past except for my Mother. 

Don was a good man, although he past while I was still quite young, so my recollections are limited. Recently my Mother gave me a small tin box and an old photo album belonging to Don. This is all that exists of my Uncle's life now, and I believe his memory should deserves to endure.   

Don was born at home in Biloela, Qld. to Lionel & Catherine Wallace. John was Don's older brother and they were both born into a life of toil & sweat, as Lionel was a selection farm, working Dairy & crop farms.

The boys grew up on properties in FNQ, settling in El Arish north of Tully Qld. During WWII Don with his Mother and younger sister Veronica were evacuated back to Biloela as there were concerns that there maybe a Japanese invasion. After the WWII ended, Don's family eventually relocated to Nambour and Don secured employment at the Nambour Sugar Mill, and remained there until he joined the Army.

Following Don's recruit training he served in Korea, Malaya & Japan until his return to Australia and discharge from the Army.

Following Don's service he experianced difficulties in resettling into civilian life and moved around frequently. He suffered greatly from alcohol abuse, caused from his experiances overseas, which inhibited his ability for retaining stable employment and settling down.

Don never recovered from his experiances in the army and unfortuately in February 1974, Don ended his own life quietly and alone in the night. 

Don never married nor had any children. Don was survived by his mother Catherine, Older Brother John & Younger Sister Veronica.

Lest We Forget. 

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