| Regimental number | 3797 |
| Place of birth | Riverton, South Australia |
| School | Riverton Public School, South Australia |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Fourth Street, Port Pirie West, South Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 24 |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Gladys Evellyn Donovan, Fourth Street, Port Pirie West, South Australia |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 27th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/44/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 27th Battalion |
| Fate | Died of wounds |
| Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | *Stated to be James David Donovan on NR |
| Place of death or wounding | Near Suelly-le-Sec, France |
| Age at death | 27 |
| Place of burial | Vignacourt British Cemetery (Plot III, Row C, Grave No. 9), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 110 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Richard and Mary Anne DONOVAN, husband of Mrs G.E. DONOVAN, Fairfax Terrace, Hilton, South Australia. Native of Riverton, South Australia |
| Family/military connections | Brother-in-law served. |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |