Photo of plaque L316
Rank
Private
Appointment
Australian Army 1942 South East Asia
Service number
WX12316
Unit
2 Independent Company
Cause of death
Died as a Prisoner of War
Place of death
Timor
Date of death
20 February 1942
Age
21
Plaque number
L316
Co-located plaques
L316A - TPR Roy Beardman
Dedicated by
2/2 Commando Association on 5 December 1948
More information

Private Donald Hylton Airey WX12316 (1920-1942, born Wagin, Western Australia) enlisted in the Australian Military Force at Claremont, Western Australia, on 2 May 1941 and was trained as a Gunner at Northam, Western Australia. In July 1941 he joined 2nd Independent Company and received training in Victoria following which the Company was deployed as part of Sparrow Force and forward based at Koepang, Timor, from 12 December 1941. He was captured by Japanese Forces and executed on 20 February 1942.

Private Airey has no known grave and his official memorial is the Northern Territory Memorial, Adelaide River, Northern Territory, where his name is shown on Panel 3. His Roll of Honour is Perth, Western Australia.

His honour plaque in Kings Park was dedicated by 2/2 Commando Association on 5 December 1948. He is the son of Robert Airey (c1890-1948) and Hilda Mary Airey (nee Graham) (1893-1963) of Shenton Park, Western Australia.

Private Airey is remembered with honour.

Note: The cause of death shown on the honour plaque is incorrect and should read “Died as a Prisoner of War”.

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Research has identified an error on this plaque which may be amended in due course.

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