LATTA, Donald Maxwell (1896-1969)
LATTA, Donald Maxwell (1896-1969)
Donald Maxwell Latta was born on 31 October 1896, the son of George Joseph Latta and Helen Josephine nee Smith. He was educated at Launceston Grammar School and then as a boarder at Geelong College, entering on 11 February 1913, and leaving in December 1915. He was enrolled by Mrs Latta who gave her address as High St, Launceston.
He was a University student when he enlisted during World War I, aged 19, and had served one year with the Melbourne University Rifles. Donald Latta enlisted (No 716) in the 40th Battalion C Company, AIF on 15 March 1916, in Tasmania. In Tasmania he was involved in a railway accident, as reported in Pegasus of May 1916:
‘D M Latta and G A Waterhouse are in camp at Claremont, Tasmania. They were in the railway accident in which seven people were killed, but though they were in the front carriage, which was smashed to matchwood, they escaped with a few cuts and bruises.’
He embarked for England with his battalion from Hobart on HMAT A35 Berrima on 1 July 1916, attended No 4 Officers’ Cadet Battalion, Oxford, in February 1917, and embarked for France, where he served through the campaigns there, being promoted Lieutenant in the field, on 28 June 1917. He attended a Bombing School at Lyndhurst, and a Musketry School ‘in the field’, then took leave to England in early March 1918 before returning to active duty. Severely wounded in action on 27 July 1918, suffering gunshot wounds to the ankle, elbow, hip and thigh, he was evacuated by Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle to 3rd London General Hospital on 5 August.
Donald Latta returned to Australia, embarking on HMT Sardinia on 19 April 1919.
Donald Latta’s older brother, Lieutenant Charles Harold Latta (1891-1916), 7th Battalion, was fatally wounded in France, suffering a gunshot wound to the femur, and died on 23 June 1916 at 13th General Hospital, Calais. He was buried at Calais Southern Cemetery, Plot A, Officers Row, Grave 10.
Donald Latta's brothers, Charles Harold Latta (1891-1916) and Geoffrey Francis Latta (1893-1911) were also educated at Geelong College.
Donald Latta’s name appears on the Holy Trinity Anglican Church of Launceston Honour Roll.
Donald Maxwell Latta was born on 31 October 1896, the son of George Joseph Latta and Helen Josephine nee Smith. He was educated at Launceston Grammar School and then as a boarder at Geelong College, entering on 11 February 1913, and leaving in December 1915. He was enrolled by Mrs Latta who gave her address as High St, Launceston.
He was a University student when he enlisted during World War I, aged 19, and had served one year with the Melbourne University Rifles. Donald Latta enlisted (No 716) in the 40th Battalion C Company, AIF on 15 March 1916, in Tasmania. In Tasmania he was involved in a railway accident, as reported in Pegasus of May 1916:
‘D M Latta and G A Waterhouse are in camp at Claremont, Tasmania. They were in the railway accident in which seven people were killed, but though they were in the front carriage, which was smashed to matchwood, they escaped with a few cuts and bruises.’
He embarked for England with his battalion from Hobart on HMAT A35 Berrima on 1 July 1916, attended No 4 Officers’ Cadet Battalion, Oxford, in February 1917, and embarked for France, where he served through the campaigns there, being promoted Lieutenant in the field, on 28 June 1917. He attended a Bombing School at Lyndhurst, and a Musketry School ‘in the field’, then took leave to England in early March 1918 before returning to active duty. Severely wounded in action on 27 July 1918, suffering gunshot wounds to the ankle, elbow, hip and thigh, he was evacuated by Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle to 3rd London General Hospital on 5 August.
Donald Latta returned to Australia, embarking on HMT Sardinia on 19 April 1919.
Donald Latta’s older brother, Lieutenant Charles Harold Latta (1891-1916), 7th Battalion, was fatally wounded in France, suffering a gunshot wound to the femur, and died on 23 June 1916 at 13th General Hospital, Calais. He was buried at Calais Southern Cemetery, Plot A, Officers Row, Grave 10.
Donald Latta's brothers, Charles Harold Latta (1891-1916) and Geoffrey Francis Latta (1893-1911) were also educated at Geelong College.
Donald Latta’s name appears on the Holy Trinity Anglican Church of Launceston Honour Roll.
Source
Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. pp 60-61, 234 (citing Pegasus; National Archives); Australian Cemetery Index 1808-2007.