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John William Donovan

Personal details

Date of birth Saturday 20 August 1892
Mother's name Elizabeth Donovan (nee Hetherington)
Father's name Dennis Donovan
Date of death Sunday 22 August 1915
Place of death Hill 60 Gallipoli
Cause of death Killed in action

Service details

Date enlisted Friday 5 February 1915
Rank at enlistment Private
Rank at discharge Private
Service Infantry
Unit 18th Battalion
Company B Company
Awards 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Story

John Donovan (Service No 505) was born in Gerringong, NSW

At enlistment John was single, 22 years old and worked as a dairyman.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A40 Ceramic on 25th June 1915 with B Company, 18th Battalion and arrived on Gallipoli on 20th August 1915. John was engaged in the battle for Hill 60 and was killed while charging the Turkish trenches. He has no known grave.

John's service is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial and at the Gerringong Memorial Hall.

John's brother, George Henry Donovan (Service No 2360) also served. Their cousin Joseph Thomas Cooper (Service No 5067) died in the battle for Pozieres.

Information sources

NAA: B2455, DONOVAN J W

Related links

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/716541/DONOVAN,%20JOHN%20WILLIAM

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1482354/

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1725188/

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1851139/

https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=81560