Son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Donnelly, of 23, Derby St., Prescot.
Census Details
1901 Census:-
Living at No 3, Golden Court, Derby Street, were Francis Donnelly, a 33 year old Coalminer and native of Ireland, his wife Mary, 29 and children Ada (7), Joseph (3) and Francis (1).
1911 Census -
The Donnelly family were still at 23, Derby Street at the time of the 1901 census. Francis Donnelly, a 45 year old Coal Miner and native of Dublin, had been married to Mary Jane (43) for 18 years. Four of theis seven children were still living, and all were still at home with their parents. Mary Ada (17), Joseph (13), Francis (11) and Mary Jane (7).
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth Registered Q3/1899, Prescot, 8b, 727
SDGW – Where Born
Prescot, Lancs
Enlisted
St Helens, Lancs
Resided
Prescot, Lancs
How Died
Died of Wounds
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Research Ref. No.
P084
Service Details
The Parish Magazine of 29th October 1918 reported “The following names to be added to the Roll of Honour” and included “Pte. Francis Donnelly of 23 Derby Street, died of wounds 30th September”.
Frank Donnelly’s Medal Index Card shows his service with the Monmouthshire Regiment prior to serving with the Worcestershire Regiment.
Private 240878 Joseph DONNELLY
Unit/Regiment
1st/5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death
29/07/1917
Age at Death
28
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
XVI K 5
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of William and Catherine Donnelly, of 42, Swan St., Stanley, Liverpool. Native of Prescot, Lancs.
Previously served as Private 2884, South Lancs. Regiment
Research Ref. No.
P085
Service Details
From his initial service number of 2894, it would seem that Joseph Donnelly enlisted with the 1st/5th Battalion of the Regiment in September 1914. He will have undergone training at various camps within the UK before arriving in France as part of a draft of reinforcements on 28th June 1915.
The battalion were billeted at Forceville in mid-Jul to early August, when it moved to trenches in the Auchonvillers section. They remained there, with rest billets at Maillly-Maillet, until 29th October when they retired to Bertencourt for training and work party assignment. The casualties suffered in this period were a result of the intermittent artillery and mortar fire, as well as constant sniping.
At the beginning of October, the battalion was once more moved to the Ypres sector, to a line from Wieltje to Railway Wood. Unusually, this was a quiet sector at that time, with both armies exhausted after the long Somme campaign. The regimental history does not record much action over the remaining weeks of 1916.
The start of the New Year saw the battalion still in the Ypres Salient, carrying out normal trench relief duties. By the beginning of May, however, activity was on the increase as the British forces prepared for the forthcoming Third Battle of Ypres, better known as Passchendaele. On 29th May, the battalion was sent to Garrison Railway Wood and then in the first week of June they moved to a new sector near to Zillebeke. Towards the end of June they were withdrawn to rest and train at St Omer in preparation for the offensive, due to commence on 31st July. On 20th July they returned once more to Ypres and continued training until they moved into assault positions on the 30th.
Private Donnelly is repoered to have been attached to a Trench Mortar unit and he died of wounds on 29th July. It is impossible to be sure where or when he received his wounds. His burial at Lijssenthoek indicates that he died at one of several casualty clearing stations just behind the lines but out of range of most German artillery.
Joseph Donnelly’s Medal Index Card shows his arrival in France on 28th June 1915, qualifying him for the 1914-1915 Star in addition to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.It is also noted that the medals were returned for adjustment after delivery, probably in 1921 or 1922.
Private Donnelly’s grave at LijssenthoekMilitaryCemetery
Private 53149 Robert DONNELLY
Unit/Regiment
10th Bn., West Yorkshire Regiment
Date of Death
31/08/1918
Age at Death
40
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Wavans British Cemetery
A6
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Husband of Ada E. Donnelly, of 5, Carlton Terrace, Yarm, Yorks.
Robert Donnelly's Medal Index Card, shown below, records his arrival in France om 3rd September 1915, presumably with the Yorkshire Regiment.
No details of his service have as yet been uncovered, but on the date of his death, 31st August 1918, the battalion were in the Soome sector and had moved back into Divisional Reserve in the valley between Martinpuich and Euacourt l'Abbaye, where they had two rest days.
On the night of 30th/31st August, they moved forward again ro positions north and north-east of Flers.
Private Donnelly is recorded as "Died", indicating that he died as a result of illness or accident.
Robert Donnelly’s Medal Index Card
Private 41481 Water DONOHUE
Unit/Regiment
1st/7th Bn, Worcestershire Regiment
Date of Death
02/10/1917
Age at Death
19
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Duhallow ADS Cemetery
I D 15
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of Margaret Donohue, of 1, Ackers St., Prescot, Liverpool
Census Details
1901 Census -
Living at 16 Moss Street, Prescot, were Margaret Donohue (38), and her children John (12), Alfred (9), Margaret (7), Mary (5) and Walter 93)
1911 Census -
Living at 13, Ackers Street, Prescot, were Margaret Donohue (46) and four of her five children; Thomas (22), a Labourer in the Wire Works, Alfred (19), a Dataller at the Colliery, Walter (13) and Mary (15), both of whom were still at school
SDGW – Where Born
Prescot, Lancs
Enlisted
Prescot
Resided
How Died
Died
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
Formerly 40280, South Lancashire Regiment
Research Ref. No.
P087
Research ongoing
Walter Donohue’s Medal Index Card shows that his first service was with the South Lancashire Regiment
The listing of Pte. Donohoe’s death in the London Times in October 1917
The Parish Magazine of 28th November 1917 reported “Pte. Walter Donohue, 19, of the Worcesters. Killed in action 2nd October, of 1, Ackers Street”.
Private Donohue’s grave at Dulhallow ADS Cemetery
Private 1615 John Thomas DOWARD
Unit/Regiment
3rd Bn., Royal Fusiliers
Date of Death
09/05/1915
Age at Death
32
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Menin Gate
Panel& 8
Census Details
1891 Census -
At Ormskirk Road, Rainford, were John Doward (34), a Dataller in a coal mine, his wife Alice (33) and children Alice (12), Peter (1), John(8), Martha (6), Catherine (5), Albert (3) and Edith (10 months).
(Note - a Dataller is the person who constructs the roofing in a mine)
1911 Census -
John Doward (28, a Coal Hewer) and his wife Elizabeth (23) had been married for a year and lived at 23, Graham Street, St Helens
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth Registered Q4/1882, Prescot, 8b, 711
SDGW – Where Born
St. Helens, Lancs
Enlisted
St Helens, Lancs
Resided
St Helens
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Research Ref. No.
P088
Research ongoing
John Doward’s Medal Index Card shows his initial arrival in France on 9th February 1915
John Doward’s inscription on the Menin Gate
Private S/2254 Gordon DOWNIE
Unit/Regiment
10th Bn., Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Date of Death
16/06/1916
Age at Death
26
Burial/Memorial & Reference
La Neuville British Cemetery
I B 64
Census Details
1901 Census -
On the Scottish census of 1901, Gordon Downie is shown to be 11 years old, living at 48, High Street, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. His father is William, aged 56, a Shoemaker, mother is Mary (53) and his siblings are Alfred (17), Andrew (6), Frederick (14) and Isabella (22)
SDGW – Where Born
Linlithgow
Enlisted
Stirling
Resided
Prescot, Lancs
How Died
Died of Wounds
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
CGWC states rank as Drummer
Research Ref. No.
P089
Service Details
The numbering sequence for the service battalions of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders was a continuation of that used by the regular battalions, although the service number enlistments were prefixed with S/ and the regular enlistments were not. Gordon Downie's number of S/2254 is in a range of numbers used for those who enlisted on 17th and 18th August 1914.
Gordon Downie’s grave at La Neuville
Gordon Downlie's Medal Index Card which shows that he first arrived in France on 11th May 1915
Captain John Thomas DRYDEN
Unit/Regiment
Inspector of Machinery, Army Ordnance Department
Date of Death
28/07/1917
Age at Death
29
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Amara War Cemetery
IV A 20
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Born at Belford, Northumberland. Son of Thomas and Mary Jane Dryden, of Liverpool Rd., Prescot, Lancs; husband of the late Betty Dryden
Census Details
1901 Census -
Living at East Hartburn, Durham, were Thomas Dryden, 36, a Coachman, his wife Mary Jane (35) and children John (13) and Maria (11m)
The Army Ordnance Department dealt with the supply and maintenance of weaponry, munitions and other army equipment, and as such it held a key post in all theatres of war, albeit often in the background.
John Dryden’s promotion announced in the London Times of 15th March 1916
As an officer, Captain John Dryden’s service papers are more comprehensive than those of other ranks. The following section reports on the key points from his service record.
January 19th, 1915
A form MT393, being an application for a Temporary Commission in the Armed Forces. It records John Dryden’s date of birth as October 30th, 1887, that he is British, single and that he lives at Liverpool Road, Prescot (his parents address). His correspondence address is 1, Rockingham Terrace, Borough Road, Middlesboro.
John Dryden was a competent horse rider, also recording that he was a member of Middlesboro Rifle Club, and that he was also a platoon commander at NewcastleGrammar School. He requested that his commission be in the Engineering Branch or the Royal Artillery (Ordnance).
15th February, 1915
John Dryden undertook his medical examination and was passed as fit for military service.
1st August, 1917
A telegram was sent to Mrs. Dryden, Ravenswood, Sandsend, Yorks. It stated “Deeply regret to inform you that Lieut. Dryden RAOD, died of effects of heat and cerebral malaria on July 28th. The Army Council express their sympathy”.
4th August, 1917
A copy of the death report is listed. It states that Captain Dryden died from “Effects of Heat and Cerebral Malaria” on 28th July 1917. His next of kin is listed as Mrs. J. T. Dryden of c/o Mrs. A. B. Craid, Cleveland View, Fornaby-on-Tees.
4th August, 1917
Mrs. Dryden wrote to the War Office asking for all particulars pertaining to her husband’s death as informed by the telegram which stated that he had died on Baghdad, Mesopotamia on July 28th.
8th August 1917
A letter from the Military Secretary informs Mrs. Dryden that they have no further information as to the circumstances of her husband’s death beyond those already communicated to her.
August 11th, 1917
Mrs. Dryden, the widow, wrote to the War Office asking for a printed form certifying her husband’s death, for presentation to the insurance company.
August 15th, 1917
A reply was sent stating that it was only customary to issue such a form when advised by the base to which the officer was assigned, and as this had not been received, then a form could not be issued.
30th September, 1917
The Military Secretary write to Mrs. Dryden to state that her husband had died on River Steamer P.No.51 and that his body had been put ashore for burial at Bghailagh for burial.
20th December 1917
Captain Dryden’s solicitors wrote again to the War Office, asking for certification of his death.
May 8th, 1918
Captain Dryden’s mother wrote from Prescot regarding her son’s will, stating that his wife was “very ill at present”. She stated that the will was sent to the War Office in December, and that as she and her son’s widow were “the only ones interested in it”, could they please enquire into it
Captain Dryden’s will, written when sailing for Mesopotamia aboard the “Royal George” in 1916
Undated
An “Effects Issue Form” is included in the papers, showing that Captain Dryden has £200 16s 4d in credits with no claims. This amount was issued to his widow via her solicitors. However on 24th April 1918, the War Office requested that the Paymaster issue charge because of allowances over-issued for the sum of £22 1s 1d.
25th May, 1918
A reply was sent to Mrs. J H Dryden, Captain Dryden’s mother, at 2, Liverpool Road, Prescot, informing her that her son’s will was sent to his widow by registered post on 8th November 1917, who in turn obtained and submitted a Grant of Letters of Administration, as a result of which the amount due to the estate from Army funds was issued to Mrs. Elizabeth Dick Dryden, Administrator of her late husband’s estate.
2nd March,1923
It is reported that Mrs. E D Dryden, widow of the late Captain John Dryden, died on 20th February 1923. As she was in receipt of an army pension, a copy of the death certificate is to be sent to the pensions office.
Capt. Dryden’s death certificate
John Dryden’s Medal Index Card listing his entitlement to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. The reverse of the card, shown below, shows the address to which the medals were dispatched.
AmaraWarCemetery is located on the left bank of the River Tigris in southern Iraq. As might be expected, the maintenance of the cemetery has not been possible due to the current political climate. The general picture below shows the poor state of the cemetery. In addition,in 1933 it was found that salt in the soil was causing deterioration of the headstones and so a decision was made to uplift them all and to locate them in a newly-erected screen wall.
A general view of the Amara War cemetery, showing the Cross of Sacrifice. The poor state of the overall cemetery can clearly be seen in this picture
The screen wall containing Captain Dryden’s gravestone, with a close up of the individual stone below
