STOKER DONALD CHARLES WALTERS RANR B/3584
Don Walters was born in Rockhampton Queensland in January 1922 and he enlisted in the RANR in June 1942. Don was the son of Harry and Edna Walters. He was rated Stoker 2nd Class on enlistment and after training at HMAS Cerberus he joined HMAS Manoora in October 1943 and served on the ship until April 1946. He was advanced to Stoker in June 1943.
HMAS Manoora was a Merchant Coastal Passenger ship which was taken up from trade in 1939 and commissioned as an Armed Merchant Cruiser. In 1942 the ship was converted to a Landing Ship Infantry (LSI).
Don joined the ship when it visited Sydney in early October 1943 and was onboard when the ship made multiple trips transporting troops from HMAS Assault, the Amphibious Training Establishment at Port Stephens NSW to New Guinea. He took part in the amphibious landings at Tanahmerah Bay, Wakde Island, Morotai, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen, Tarakan and Balikpapan. On completion of hostilities the ship was engaged on transporting troops and equipment. In April 1946 Don left the ship and he was demobilised in May 1946.
On discharge Don moved to Burrapine near Macksville on the NSW Mid-North Coast and in 1953 he married Edith Doreen Mitchell in Macksville. The couple lived the remainder of their lives in the area raising four children.
Donald Charles Walters passed away October 2007 just three months after Edith. They are buried together in the Anglican Section of the Macksville Cemetery.
Sources
Service Record - Australian National Archives
Nominal Roll - Department of Veterans Affairs
