Donald was born on the 26 Oct 1903 at Gore in Southland NZ. He attended Balfour School from 1908-1917 where he left school and started his career as a labourer.
At some point around 1922, Donald joined the NZ Navy. There are records of him being absent without permission from the Navy, but that warrant was cancelled.
In 1933, Donald ran foul of the law and was sentenced to 8 months detention. The reason given was ‘carnal knowledge’.
WWII interrupted things and Donald became part of the war effort as a Private 13433 for the 26th Canterbury Otago Regiment.
He sailed overseas to Europe and was captured in Italy in Dec 1941 and placed in a POW camp. He remained a POW until June 1945 when his family were informed that he had survived.
In the early 1960s, Donald married Vera Thomas Day nee Harper. She had divorced Joseph Day in 1961 at Dunedin.
Vera was born 1918 and she passed away in June 2000 at Dunedin.
Donald passed away 8 January 1969 at Dunedin and is buried at Andersons Bay Cemetery.
