QX3398 Lance Corporal
Donald Henry Charles Brennan WIA
2nd/15th Infantry Battalion
20th Brigade,
7th Division then 9th Division
This file last updated 26 October, 2025 12:56
Introduction
Donald Henry Charles Brennan
Photo when available
2nd/15th Australian Infantry Battalion
Colour Patch after TOBRUK
Original Colour Patch above, left
The following information and chronological table are a summary of the entries from the World War Two Service Record of Donald Henry Charles Brennan b 17 Mar 1917 [QLD BDM 1917/C/2598]. Death not found in QLD BDM but the Ryerson Index records the death of a Donald Brennan late of GUILDFORD SYDNEY on 26 Jul 1995. Marrried Joyce Richters 7 Nov 1946 [QLD BDM 946/C/4648]. See his Service Record here.
Served in WW2 as QX3398 Donald Henry Charles Brennan with 2nd/15th Battalion in Africa and was Wounded in Action (WIA) at the 2nd Battle of EL ALAMEIN.
Donald enlists on 8 Jun 1940 at MARYBOROUGH, QUEENSLAND and is allotted to the 2nd/15th Australian Infantry Battalion. His early enlistment number,the paucity of his service record and the rapidity of his allotment to an active infantry battalion are all indicative of the situation the Australian Imperial Force found itself in early 1940.
He gives his occupation as labourer and commences to nominate his mother Evelyn as his next of kin (NOK) but changes this to his father although he enters the intials W.F. rather than W.P. He is 23 at the time so he needs no parental approval for his enlistment which would tend to indicate a mistake rather than attempt to obscure. This early enlistment form does not enquire about education qualifications.
Donald's training is fairly scant in Australia as he arrives at REDBANK, BRISBANE three days later and on 20 days later boards a troop ship bound for DARWIN where the battalion has a protection role but is the able to complete his Infantry training.
Returning to BRISBANE the 2/15th is assigned to form the 20th Brigade of the 7th Division. They embark on Christmas day 1940 and sail for the Middle East the following day and on the way the Brigade is reassigned to the 9th Division.
The battalion unites with the 2/13th and 2/17th Battalions which had arrived earlier - see the section on the history of the 2/15th for details of its subsequent movements.
During the 2nd battle of EL ALAMEIN Donald is wounded in the right shoulder and his subsequent employment indicates that he suffers permanent damage to the shoulder and on the unit's return to AUSTRALIA he is assigned to a QUEENSLAND Laundry Unit where he remains until discharged.
The 2/15 Battalion is reassigned to NEW GUINEA and BORNEO to fight the Japanese.
Donald is discharged on 22 Jan 1944.
The family is that of William Patrick Brennan b 26 Nov 1892, d 24 Nov 1975, buried Boonah Cemetery and Evelyn Ruth n�e Holm b 20 Dec 1894 in Gympie, d 16 May 1971,who married on 25 Nov 1913. See further detailed information at Brennan Family.
Five men of this family served in WW2 and the other four Service Records can be seen at the following links:
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Robert Neville Brennan - see his . . . . . . . . . . Military Biography.
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Bernard Brennan - see his . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Military Biography.
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Kenneth Brennan - see his . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Millitary Biography.
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William (Bill) Brennan - see his . . . . . . . . . . . .Military Biography.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Abbreviations or acronyms which have a dotted underline can be expanded by moving the cursor over the term - e.g. WIA. The cursor will be replaced by ? and the expanded abbreviation will be displayed. This is gradually being incorporated into the site, replacing the the current expansion of abbreviations. There may be a discernable delay of about a second before the expansion is first provided.
There is also a separate list of abbreviations which is available through the menu at the top of this page or the hyperlink here. Abbreviations are inconsistent, even within a single occurence where a term is abbreviated.
There are a number of sources for tracing abbreviations used in Australian and New Zealand service records. Those used when operating with the British or US forces can generally be found, especially in World War 1. Abbreviations used solely within Australia in WW2 are most difficult to trace, particularly when they are regional. Sometimes a 'best guess' is the only answer.
Duplicated Pages
Some of the service information may appear to be duplicated although individual occurrences are not in the same order and different abbreviations used. This occurs when the unit and Army records are amalgamated upon discharge or death in Service.
Service Numbers
Service numbers in WW1 were unique to the unit (e.g. Battalion) or Corps (e.g. Artillery). In WW2 Service Numbers were unique to the State in which they were allotted. For further information about identity numbers for Service personnel, see Regimental and Service Numbers
Dates of Occurrence and Reporting
The date of reporting an incident may be hours, days or months after the date on which incident actually occurred.
The original service record is amended only when the incident is reported which means that events are not necessarily recorded in in strict chronological sequence. This is the date shown on the left of the page of the original record, and also on the left in my transcription but readers should note that at times there may be no date of reporting at all, particularly when service personel are repatriated for discharge at the end of hostilities.
To assist the reader, when transcribing the military record I have done my best to record events in their chronological sequence. This is date is on the right of the page of the original record and also on the right in my transcription.
For clarity I have transcribed all dates into the format d MMM yyyy.
Enlistment Details
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.
MOBILIZATION ATTESTATION FORM.
To be filled in for all Persons at the Place of Assembly when called out under Part III. or IV. of the Defence Act.
Army Number......................QX3398...............................
Surname.................................BRENNAN........................Other Names......................Donald Henry Charles.....................................
Unit.........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Enlisted for war service at........................... Maryborough........................................................................................................(Place)
..............................QUEENSLAND..................................(State)......................8 Jul 1940............................................................(Date)
A
Questions to be put to persons called out or presenting themselves for voluntary enlistment*
|
1. What is your name? |
1. Surname BRENNAN |
|
2. Where were you born? |
2. In or near the town of WONDAI in the state or country of Q'LAND |
|
3. Are you a British Subject? |
Yes |
|
4. What is your age and date of birth |
4. Age 23 |
|
5. (a) What is your your trade or occupation |
5. (a) Labourer |
|
6. Are you married, single or widower? |
Single |
|
7. Have you previously served on active service? If so, where and in what arm? |
No |
|
8. Who is your actual next of kin? (Order of relationship.— wife, eldest son, eldest daughter, father, mother, eldest brother, eldest sister, eldest half-brother, eldest half-sister) |
8. Name Mr |
|
9. What is your permanent address? |
9. 40 Fort St, Maryborough |
|
10. What is your religious denomination? (This question need not be answered if the man has a conscientious objection to doing so) |
10. R.C. |
I, .....................Donald Henry Charles Brennan.............................................................................................do solemnly declare that the
above answers made by me to the above questions are true and that I am willing to serve in the Australian Military Forces within or beyond the limits of the Commonwealth.
Witnessed by .......................Lt illegible.................................D.H.C Brennan..................................
* The person will be warned that should he give false answers to any of these questions he will be liable to heavy penalties under the Defence Act.
B
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
I have made full and careful examination of the abovenamed person in accordance with the instructions contained in the Standing Orders for Australian Army Medical Services. In my opinion he is—*
1. Fit for Class I
2. Temporarily unfit for Class I † ............................................................................................................................................................
3. Fit for Class II.
4. Temporarily unfit for Class II †............................................................................................................................................................
5. Unfit for military service † ..................................................................................................................................................................
Place .............................Maryborough................................ Date .............................29 May 1940 ........................
Signature of Examining Medical Officer .........................Rb Baker Capt AAMC ]........................................................................................
* Classifications which are inapplicable to be struck out † Reasons for unfitness to be stated.
C
OATH OF ENLISTMENT ‡
For persons voluntarily enlisted or called upon under Part III. or Part IV, of the Defence Act to serve in the Citizens Forces in time of war. Not compulsory for serving members of the Forces or those allotted to the Citizen Forces under Part XII. of the Act, but unless in any case an objection is raised, the oath should be administered to them as part of the ceremony of attestation.
I,.....................D.H.C. Brennan ...............swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord, the King, in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia until the cessation of the present time of war or until sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed, or removed, and that I will resist His Majesty's enemies and cause his Majesty's peace to be kept and maintained, and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service faithfully discharge my duty according to law.
SO HELP ME GOD!
Signature of Person Enlisted................. D.H.C. Brennan .........................
Subscribed at ............................... Maryborough .............................. in the State of ...........................Queensland .............
this ............................ 8th ...................................... day of .......................................June .................................. 1940 .....................
Before me—
Signature of Attesting Officer ................................Lt Illegible ....................................................................................................
‡ Persons who object to take an oath may make an affirmation in accordance with the Third Schedule of the Defence Act. In such cases the above form will be amended acccordingly and initialled by the Attesting Officer.
Chronological Events
(Service and Casualty Form)
|
Date |
Received |
Event/Casualty |
Date of |
Place of |
|
11 Jun 1940 |
2/15 Bn |
Taken on strength |
11/6/40 |
R'BANK |
|
1 Jul 1940 |
2/15 Bn |
Embarked on HMT "SS ZEALANDIA" (also known as HMT Code Z) from PINKENBA
to DARWIN. |
1 Jul 1940 |
BRISBANE |
|
11 Jul 1940 |
2/15 BN |
Disembarked and Taken on Strength 7 M.D. ex N.Comd |
11 Jul 1940 |
DARWIN |
|
30 Sep 1940 |
2/15 BN |
Marched in from 7 MD [SS ZEALANDIA] |
30 Sep 1940 |
GROVELY |
|
19 Oct 1940 |
2/15 BN |
Pre-Emb Leave from 15 Oct 1940 to 25 Oct 1940 |
15 Oct 1940 |
GROVELY |
|
18 Dec 1940 |
2/15 BN |
Granted Sick Leave 25 Nov 1940 to 2 Dec 1940 |
25 Nov 1940 |
REDBANK |
|
18 Dec 1940 |
2/15 BN |
Marched out to East Comd |
18 Dec 1940 |
REDBANK |
|
3 Feb 1941 |
2/15 Bn |
A.W.L. from 0020 hrs 21 Dec 1940 to 2230 hrs 22 Dec 1940 |
23 Dec 1940 |
REDBANK |
|
26 Dec 1940 |
2/15 BN |
Embarked "SS QUEEN MARY" |
26 Dec 1940 |
SYDNEY |
|
3 Feb 1941 |
2/15 BN |
Disembarked |
3 Feb 1941 |
Mid East |
|
2 Sep 1941 |
4 A.G.H. |
Evac 4 Aust Gen Hosp - Tonsillitis - transfered to X List |
1 Sep 1940 |
M.E. |
|
9 Sep 1941 |
2/15 BN |
Discharged from 4 Aust Gen Hosp and returned to unit |
8 Sep 1941 |
M.E. |
|
9 Oct 1941 |
2/15 BN |
Rejoined unit from 4 Aust Gen Hosp & struck of X List |
9 Oct 1941 |
M.E. |
|
8 Feb 1941 |
2/8 A. Fd Amb |
Evac [to] 2/8 Aust Fd Amb - Inf Parotitis & tfrd [to] X List |
8 Sep 1941 |
M.E. |
|
14 Feb 1942 |
2/3 CCS |
Evac 2/89 Aust Fd Amb to 2/3 Aust CCS |
8 Feb 1942 |
M.E. |
|
14 Feb 1942 |
2/3 CCs |
Evac 2/3 CCS to 2 British CCS |
9 Feb 1942 |
M.E. |
|
11 Feb 1942 |
7 A.G.H. |
Evac 2 British CCS to 7 Aust Gen Hosp |
10 Feb 1942 |
M.E. |
|
20 Feb 1942 |
20 Aust T B |
Disch 7 Aust Gen Hosp & M/O to 20 Aust Inf Trg Bn |
19 Feb 1942 |
M.E. |
|
20 Feb 1942 |
20 Aust I.T.B. |
Marched in from 7 Aust Gen Hosp |
19 Feb 1942 |
M.E. |
|
20 Mar 1942 |
20 Aust I.T.B. |
Marched out to 9 Aust In Spec Gp. |
1 Mar 1942 |
M.E. |
|
2 Mar 1942 |
9 AI Sp Gp |
March in from 20 Aust Ing Trg Bn |
1 Mar 1942 |
M.E. |
|
7 Mar 1942 |
20 AITB |
Offence: Without reasonable exuse allowing to escape, a person committed to his charge |
|
M East |
|
30 Mar 1942 |
9 A.I.SP. GP |
Marched out to 20 Aust Inf Trg Bn |
29 Mar 1942 |
M.E. |
|
9 Apr 1942 |
20 AITB |
Marched out to 2/15 Bn |
8 Apr 1942 |
M.East |
|
12 Apr 1942 |
2/15 Bn |
Taken on Strength from 20 Aust Inf Trg Bn |
11 Apr 1942 |
M. East |
|
26 Oct 1942 |
7 AGH |
Evac 7 AGH - SW Rt Shoulder & tfd to "X" List |
25 Oct 1942 |
M.E. |
|
30 Oct 1942 |
Cas Sec |
BATTLE CASUALTY - wounded, Infection, SW Rt Shoulder |
23 Oct 1942 |
M.E |
|
31 Oct 1942 |
7 AGH |
Evac [from] 7 AGH to 4 ACD |
30 Oct 1942 |
M.E. |
|
10 Nov 1942 |
4 ACD |
Disch 4 ACD for Return to Unit. |
9 Nov 1942 |
M.E. |
|
12 Nov 1942 |
2/15 Bn |
Rejoined unit from [illegible] AIF(M.E.) SL and struck off "X' List" |
10 Nov 1942 |
M.E. |
|
26 Jan 1943 |
2/25 Bn |
Embarked [HMT "ACQUITANIA"] |
27 Feb 1943 |
M.E. |
|
27 Feb 1943 |
2/15 Bn |
Disembarked at Sydney |
27 Feb 1943 |
SYDNEY |
|
17 May 1943 |
DDMS |
Marched out to Supernumary Personnel |
25 Jun 1945 |
QLD |
|
14 May 1943 |
DDMS |
Medical Classification: Assessed as "Medically fit to carry out certain duties which require only restricted medical fitness" |
NDG |
QLD |
|
12 Jun 1943 |
6 MD L of C |
Taken on strength from Aust Pers Stg Camp |
11 Jun 1943 |
Qld |
|
21 Jun 1943 |
|
Transfd to 13 Aust Mobile Laundry & Forward Decontamination Unit |
20 Jun 1943 |
QLS (Townsville) |
|
26 Jun 1943 |
2/15 Bn |
Tfrd to 13 Aust Mobile Laundry |
26 Jun 1943 |
QLD |
|
17 Jul 1943 |
13 Aust Mob Laundry |
Taken on Strength from 6 Aust Div Mob Lndry and Adv Field Dec Unit |
20 Jun 1943 |
Qld |
|
16 Aug 943 |
13 Aus Mob Laundry |
Transferrred to 3 Aust Statiac Laundry Cairns |
6 Aug 1943 |
QLD |
|
16 Aug 1943 |
3 Static Laundry |
Taken on Strength from 13 A Mob Laundry |
6 Aug 1943 |
QLD |
|
29 oct 1943 |
3 Static Laundry |
Appointed Paid Lance Corporal |
8 Oct 1943 |
QLD |
|
20 Jan 1944 |
3 Static Laundry |
Marched out from Qld HQ to GDD for discharge. |
19 Jan 1944 |
QLD |
|
22 Jan 1944 |
GDD |
March in ex Unit for Discharge |
22 Jan 1944 |
|
World War 2 Infantry Battalions
Infantry Battalions in the Middle-East during WW2 had a strength of some 28 officers and 626 men, with four rifle companies (A, B, C and D) each of three platoons, supported by battalion headquarters and a headquarters company with six specialist platoons whose composition could vary but generally signals, pioneer, anti-aircraft, transport, mortars and administration.
Redcoats to Cams, Ian Kuring, AUSTRALIAN MILITARY HISTORY PUBLICATIONS, 2004
2nd/15th Infantry Battalion
COLOUR PATCH
2ND/15TH AUSTRALIAN
INFANTRY BATTALION
1ST VERSION (PRE TOBRUK)
COLOUR PATCH
2ND/15TH AUSTRALIAN
INFANTRY BATTALION
2ND VERSION (POST TOBRUK)
The 2nd/15th Infantry Battalion was formed in May 1940 mainly from Queensland volunteers. Originally assigned to the 20th Brigade of the 7th Division, en route to the Middle East the brigade was reasssigned to the 9th Division.
The unit insignia was the brown over dark blue of the WW1 15th Battalion inside a grey diamond to denote WW2. After fighting in TOBRUK it was changed to a T shape of blue edged with green, the whole edged with grey.
On arrival in the Middle East the brigade was based at GAZA and concentrated on building up both equipment and training, and moved to MERSA MATRUH as the 6th Division was relieved and it was soon moved to TOBRUK. From there it went to DERNA, TOCHRA, BENGHAZI and BARCE.
Following the landing of German forces around TRIPOLI the 2nd/15th was involved in a large-scale withdrawal. During the retreat the CO was one of about 180 men captured by the Germans.
The battalion took part in the defence of TOBRUK until October when the bulk of the 9th Division were withdrawn by sea. It was subsequently withdrawn to GAZA before moving to SYRIA and in July 1942 moved back to NORTH AFRICA.
The 2nd/15th took part in the First and Second battles of EL ALAMEIN during the remainder of the year, and in 1943 was withdrawn to Australia.
In Australia the unit retrained for jungle warfare and eventually landed in MILNE BAY and was engaged in the SALAMAUA-LAE campaign, taking part in the landing at LAE, the first amphibious operation undertaken by Australians since GALLIPOLI. After LAE fell the 2/15th was involved in the capture of FINSCHHAFEN, then a drive towards KUMAWA where Corporal William Woods was recommended for the Victoria Cross but received the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
The battalion was involved in further fighting through November and December 1943 and early 1944 before being withdrawn to FINSCHHAFEN for rest before being returned to BRISBANE in mid-March aboard HMAT "KLIPFONTEIN" for a 42 day leave period.
Re-forming and re-training followed, with a high turnover of men, many joining the 2/15th from the disbanded 62nd militia battalion. There was uncertainty about the role of an Australian battalion in the Pacific and the nature of combined US/AU operations, but the battalion returned in early May to take part in the recapture of Borneo.
Staging out of MOROTAIa detachment of 2/15 landed on MUARA ISLAND on 10 Jun 45 from US tracked vehicle landing craft (LVT), taking the island without opposition. Later, other elements of the battalion went ashore on the peninsular near BRUNEI town while the main Australian force advance towards KUCHING with two companies of 2/15 as a reserve.
By August a draft of 170 were returned to Australia with the remainder staying in BRUNEI and returning in drafts based on length of service. Some chose to vounteer for the service in Japan with the 66th or 67th Battalions. These battalions, together with the 65th were to become the formation units of The Royal Australian Regiment.
Medals and Dress Embellishments
1939-1945 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army Clasp, War Medal 1939-1945, Australia Service Medal 1939-1945;.
Use the hyperlinks or scroll down to see further information.
1939-1945 Star
The 1939-45 Star is awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 for:
- a period of six months (180 days) operational service for RAN and Army personnel and RAAF non-air crew personnel;
- a period of two months operational service for air crew personnel; and/or
- a period of six months service at sea for Merchant Navy provided at least one voyage was made through one of the specified areas of active operations;
The 1939-45 Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.
Design
The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words "The 1939-45 Star".
Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
Ribbon
The ribbon has three vertical stripes of dark blue, red and light blue. The dark blue stripe represents the Naval Forces and the Merchant Navy, the red stripe the Armies and the light blue stripe the Air Forces.
Clasps
The "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" clasp was awarded to eligible air crew involved in the Battle of Britain.
The "BOMBER COMMAND" clasp was introduced in 2012 and is awarded to eligible Bomber Command aircrew.
When the ribbon is worn alone the standard silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp. The silver rosette emblem is not supplied by the Directorate of Honours and Awards.
Africa Star
The Africa Star was granted for operational service in North Africa from the date of the entry of Italy into the war on 10 June 1940, up to the date of the cessation of operations against the enemy in North Africa on 12 May 1943.
The Africa Star may also be awarded for operational service as a member of the Australian Defence Force during the Syrian Campaign in the period from 8 June 1941 to 11 July 1941.
The Africa Star is awarded for a minimum of one days operational service in North Africa, west of the Suez Canal between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943 and in Syria between 8 Junenbsp;1941 and 11 July 1941.
Design
The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Africa Star’.
Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
Ribbon
The ribbon colours represent the desert and the service of the Armies, Naval Forces, Merchant Navy and the Air Forces.
Clasp
Three clasps were issued for the Africa Star:
-
8th Army
-
1st Army
-
North Africa 1942-43
Only one clasp is worn and when the ribbon is worn alone a ribbon emblem, '8', '1' or silver rosette as appropriate is worn to denote the award of a clasp.
War Medal 1939-1945
[Extract from Defence Honours and Awards website -Imperial Awards
The medal is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse.
The reverse has a lion standing on a double-headed dragon. The top of the reverse shows the dates 1939 and 1945.
The rim is plain, and the medal hangs from a suspender. The ribbon colours of red, white and blue represent the colours of the Union Flag.
The War Medal 1939-45 was awarded for 28 days full-time service in the Armed Forces between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Operational and non-operational service may be counted, providing that it was of 28 days or more duration.
In the Merchant Navy there is a requirement that the 28 days should have been served at sea.
A member qualifies for the award where service was brought to an end by death, wounds or other disabilities due to service or by cessation of hostilities on 2 September 1945.
The War Medal 1939-45 is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel.
Australia Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 was instituted in 1949 to recognise the service of members of the Australian Armed Forces and the Australian Mercantile Marine during World War II.
The medal was originally awarded to those who served at home or overseas for at least 18 months full-time service, or three years part-time service, between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Members of the Australian Mercantile Marine must have served the qualifying time at sea.
In 1996 the qualifying time was reduced to 30 days full-time or 90 days part-time service. To be eligible for the medal a serviceman or woman must have been honourably discharged from the Australian Armed Forces.
Design
The medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945’.
Ribbon
The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes, which are in turn flanked by two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force respectively.
Attribution
The above information is from the Defence Honours site at http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Imperial/WWII/Australia-Service-Medal-1939-1945.asp, taken on 19 Jun 2019.