Donald Robert Willesee (1916 - 2003)

Born 14 Apr 1916 in Derby, Western Australia, Australia

Husband of Gwendoline Coral (Clarke) Willesee — married 27 Apr 1940 in Yalgoo, Western Australia, Australia

Died 9 Sep 2003 at age 87 in Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia

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Biography

Don Willesee is an Anzac who served in World War Two.

Unknown Don Willesee served in the Australian Army in World War II
Service started: 16 Mar 1942
Unit(s): 5 L of C; Signals
Service ended: Unknown

Donald Robert WILLESEE was born on 14 April 1916 in Derby, Western Australia, Australia^[1]. His parents were William Robert WILLESEE and Ethel May WRIGHTSON (also known as FLINDERS?).

Gwendoline Coral CLARKE and Donald Robert WILLESEE were married on 27 April 1940 at St Saviour’s Church Yalgoo, Western Australia, Australia^[2]

Their children included:

Michael Robert WILLESEE AO 1942-2019

16 March 1942, Don enlisted in the Australian Army; Service Number: W60757^[3]. He was assigned to the 5 L of C; Signals. His rank and discharge dates are unknown.

Electoral Roll Information^[4]

1937 - West Perth, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

WILLISEE Donald Robert, postal employee - 1264 Hay St Perth

1954 - Balcatta, Moore, Western Australia, Australia

WILLISEE Donald Robert, senator & Gwendoline Coral, hd - 32 Waterloo St Joondanna Heights Balcatta

1968 - Pearce, Moore, Western Australia, Australia

WILLESEE Donald Robert, senator & Gwendoline Coral, hd - Dennis & Gordon Av Quinns Rock

1977 - Pearce, Moore, Western Australia, Australia

WILLESEE Donald Robert, - Walton Place Quinns Rock, Gwendoline Coral, hd - Dennis & Gordon Av Quinns Rock

1980 - Wanneroo, Moore, Western Australia, Australia

WILLESEE Donald Robert - & Gwendoline Coral, hd - 5 Walton Place Quinns Rock

He was an Australian Politician.

• Labour Party Senator for Western Australia 1950-1975.
• Minister assisting the Minister for Foreign Affairs 19 Dec 1972 - 6 Nov 1973.
• Minister for Foreign Affairs 6 Nov 1973 - 11 Nov 1975.
• Special Minister for State 19 Dec 1972 - 30 Nov 1973.
• Vice President of the Executive Council 19 Dec 1972 - 30 Nov 1973.
• Minister assisting the Prime Minister 29 Dec 1972 - 30 Nov 1973 in the Whitlam government.
• National Archives of Australia Commowealth Person CP 108

He passed away on 9 September 2003 in Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia^[5][6] and was buried at the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Department of Justice. Births, Deaths and Marriages, Western Australia. Willesee, Donald R; Male; W Kimberley; 3; 1916. https://bdm.justice.wa.gov.au/_apps/pioneersindex/default.aspx
2. ↑ Government of Western Australia, Department Of Justice: Birth, Deaths and Marriages. Marriage. Clarke, Gwendoline; F; Willesee, Donald Robert; M; Yalgoo; 1940; Yalgoo; 6900001 1940. https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice/online-index-search-tool
3. ↑ National Archives of Australia. WILLESEE, DONALD ROBERT; Service Number - W60757; Date of birth - 14 Apr 1916; Place of birth - DERBY WA; Place of enlistment - CLAREMONT WA; Next of Kin - WILLESEE, GWENDOLINE; Contents date range 1939 - 1948; Series number B884; Item barcode 6482525. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
4. ↑ Ancestry.com.ay (Paid site)
5. ↑ The Ryerson Index to death notices and obituaries in Australian newspapers. WILLESEE, Donald Robert; Death notice; 09SEP2003; Death; Age 87; at Perth; Sydney Morning Herald; 11SEP2003. http://ryersonindex.net/search.php
6. ↑ The Ryerson Index to death notices and obituaries in Australian newspapers. WILLESEE, Don; Obituary; 1916-2003; Death; Politician; Sydney Morning Herald; 11SEP2003. http://ryersonindex.net/search.php
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199254722/donald-robert-willesee: accessed 20 August 2023), memorial page for Donald Robert “Don” Willesee (14 Apr 1916–9 Sep 2003), Find a Grave Memorial ID 199254722, citing Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, Padbury, Joondalup City, Western Australia, Australia; Maintained by EternalButterfly (contributor 48994836).

See also:

• Wikipedia Profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Willesee Wikipedia
• http://biography.senate.gov.au/willesee-donald-robert/ Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate
• https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australias-forgotten-foreign-minister-don-willesee/
• Tony Stephens, 'Willesee, Donald Robert (Don) (1916–2003)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/willesee-donald-robert-don-32951/text41054, accessed 29 September 2023.