Donald Francis HANNABY
Name: Donald Francis Hannaby
Date of Birth: 29 September 1912
Birth Location: Busselton, Western Australia
Also Known As: Don
Age at Burial: 57 Years
Date of Death: 27 January 1969
Death Location: Bunbury Regional Hospital, Bunbury, Western Australia.
Date of Burial: 30 January 1969
Denomination: Anglican A
Row/Grave: Row 2 Grave 15
Grave Transcription:
Donald Francis Hannaby 1912-1969
Father: Sydney Newham (stepfather Gordon Parke)
Mother: Ivy Isabelle Hannaby (Parke)
Grandparents (father):
Grandparents (mother): Robert Hannaby + Ellen Dilley
Siblings: 5 x Half siblings (Hannaby + Parke) (11 x Half siblings Newham + Jackson)
Spouse:
Children:
Occupation: Farmer Yelverton, Labourer Capel
Military Service: Pte-Corporal 2/11 Batt WX632 POW WW2
Their Story
His mother was just 16 years of age in 1912 when Donald was born in Busselton. It appears he was born out of wedlock, as later that year his father, Sydney Newham, was in court due to unpaid maintenance.
His mother Ivy, at the age of 23 years, married Gordon Parke in 1918. Gordon became Donald’s stepfather.
Young Donald (Don) lived and attended Capel Primary School along with his school friends and extended family members – he is still attending the Capel Primary Sports Carnival in 1925, even though his mother and stepfather are now living in Donnybrook.
Upon enlistment, on the 9 November 1939, Donald’s hometown is Donnybrook, Western Australia, he is 27 years of age. He was a keen cricketer before his war service and after his return.
Donald enlisted in Northam, Western Australia; his next of kin was his mother, Mrs G Parke. His enlistment number was WX632. His initial rank was Pte and he advanced to Lt Corporal. He was a Prisoner of War; (Starlag Row9c #39403). He suffered a GSW to his right leg prior to his capture.
He was one of the first POW prisoners at Kokkinia prison hospital in Greece. The Perth Daily news, on July 12 1941, listed him as a casualty. He was eventually invalided out of service.
Donald Francis Hannaby was reported by the Red Cross of Geneva of his position in Kokkinia Military Hospital Greece.
He was a great friend of Lt Harry Young and was a POW when his mate was killed.
An article in Trove mentioned Donald’s name was recorded on the POW memorial in Ballarat.
There are no records of Donald marrying or having children. He maintained a farming lifestyle in various locations including Donnybrook, Nannup and Yelverton until his death in 1969.
Father maintenance court case 1912 – Trove Article – link
Merritt Funeral 1923 – Trove Article – link
Capel school Sports 1925 – Trove Article – link
National Archive Records – link
Prisoner of War list 12 July 1941 – Trove Article – link
Believed to be Prisoners of War 18 July 1941 – Trove Article – link
Lt Harry Young 18 Jan 1943– Trove Article – link
Don Hannaby returns home 11 Aug 1945 – Trove Article – link
Don Hannaby cricket 10 Nov 1934– Trove Article – link
Information and Story compiled by researchers JT & PP (CDCP Team Members)
Links to other websites with additional information included in story.
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© Capel District Cemeteries Project 13/05/2021 – Updated images 04/01/2023
