William Donohoe

DONOHOE, William- – – – – SPC 1912-1914

DoB:- – 1 August 1898, Coolgardie, WA

Father:- – deceased by 1917 (time of enlistment)

Mother:– – Sarah, 65 King William St, Fitzroy, VIC

William was a boarder at St Patrick’s.

Service No:– 6798

Rank:– – Private

Unit:– – 21st Battalion

William Donohoe signed up on 15 March 1917, aged 19 years. He was five feet and five inches tall, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He embarked at Melbourne on the Ascanius on 11 May 1917. He was admitted to hospital at sea, sick with influenza. He disembarked at Devonport, England on 20 July 1917.

While he was still in England, he was AWL (Absent Without Leave) between 24 September and 13 October, and was Court Marshalled on 9 November 1917 at Hurdcott. He pleaded -‘guilty’, was found guilty and had to undergo detention for 10 days and forfeit 55 days’ pay. On 28 December 1917, after his confinement, Private Donohoe marched out from England to Havre, France. He joined his battalion in the field on 5 January 1918.

On 19 May 1918, Private Donohoe was -‘dangerously’ wounded in action in France, and subsequently died at the 61st Casualty Clearing Station. His war record states that there were -‘no particulars’ to be had regarding what actually occurred.

William died on 21 May 1918, at the age of 19. He was buried at Vignacourt Military Cemetery, Amiens, France.