The AIF Project

William Joseph DONNAN

Regimental number18880
Place of birthLismore, New South Wales
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationFarmer
AddressLismore, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 9.5"
Weight122 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Margaret Donnan, Eastwood, Lismore, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date23 February 1917
Place of enlistmentLismore, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit nameJune 1917 Reinforcements
AWM Embarkation Roll number14/42/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 31 October 1917
Rank from Nominal RollSapper
Unit from Nominal RollAustralian Employment Company
FateReturned to Australia 10 April 1919
Discharge date8 August 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 31 October 1917; found guilty, 6 December 1917, of conduct to the prejudice of good order and Military discipline (breaking ship): awarded 168 hours' detention; disembarked Devonport, England, 26 December 1917, and marched in to No 3 Camp, Parkhouse.

Admitted to Delhi Hospital, 13 January 1918; transferred to Tidworth Military Hospital, 14 January 1918 (contusion, wrist and foot); discharged to Training Depot, 26 January 1918.

Marched out to Engineers Training Depot, Brightlingsea, 18 February 1918.

Admitted to General Military Hospital, Colchester (German measles), 14 March 1918; marched into Engineers Training Depot from hospital, 25 March 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 30 June 1918; taken on strength, 6th Field Company Engineers, 31 August 1918.

Admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, 31 August 1918 (venereal disease); transferred to 1st Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 1 September 1918; to 39th General Hospital, Havre, 3 September 1918 (not yet diagnosed); to Australian Convalescent Depot, Havre, 26 September 1918 (traumatic orchitis).

Transferred to and taken on strength of, Australian Employment Company, 10 November 1918.

Admitted to 41st Casualty Clearing Station, 27 November 1918 (diarrhoea); transferred to 9th General Hospital, Rouen, 29 November 1918; to England, 12 December 1918, and admitted to Boscombe Military Hospital, 14 December 1918; to 1st Australian General Hospital, Sutton Veny, 4 January 1919; discharged on furlough, 10 January 1919, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 24 January 1919.

Admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Sutton Veny, 3 March 1919 (influenza); transferred to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 25 March 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Medic', 10 April 1919; arrived Melbourne, 31 May 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Sydney, 8 August 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death30 May 1961
Place of burialBotany Cemetery
SourcesNAA: B2455, DONNAN William Joseph

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