The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private P Donovan

Private Patrick DONOVAN, L/9831, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, Flanders France, death assumed on or after, 18th April 1915.

2nd May 1894 / 26th May 1894, born Deptford, SE, son of Mrs Julia Donovan, 27 Campbell Road, Finsbury Park. - Mr Patrick Donovan, 2 Wellington Cott, Eastwouth Road, Chertsey, Surrey / 53 Dalmain Road, Forest Hill, SE23.

1911 Census - 4 Canal Place, Camberwell, SE - Patrick Donovan, head, age 35, married, pedlars, born Deptford; Julia Donovan, wife, age 37, married 16 years, 7 children, 2 still alive, pedlars, born Birds Isle; Patrick Donovan, son, age 14, pedlars, born Deptford; Rebecca Ann Kinnington, boarder, age 58, single, mantle maker, born Old Kent Road.

Formerly in 5th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Special Reserve), 9873. Enlisted 20th September 1911, New Cross, age 17 years & 4 months, height 5ft 2¼ inches, weight 120lbs, hazel eyes, brown hair, scar front right shin, scar above left breast. Formerly hawker.

Enlisted 26th February 1912, New Cross, Kent, age 17 years & 9 months, height 5ft 2½ inches, weight 131lbs, female right forearm, scar front of right shin, fresh complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair. Resided New Cross, Kent. Formerly hawker.

Home, 26th February 1912 to 13th August 1914; BEF France, 14th August 1914 to 22nd September 1914; Home, 23rd September 1914 to 1st February 1915; BEF France, 2nd February 1915 to 18th April 1915.

29th February 1912, Dublin, joined Regiment; 3rd May 1912, Dublin, joking on Parade, 7 days confined to Barracks; 11th May 1912, Dublin, having dirty equipment & rusty bayonet when parading in marching order at 10.45am, 3 days confined to Barracks; 25th June 1912, Dublin, inattentive on Parade, 7 days confined to Barracks; 12th July 1912, Dublin, talking on Parade, 7 days confined to Barracks; 21st July 1912, Dublin, absent from Tattoo until returning to Barracks 1.10am on 22nd July, drunk, 8 days confined to Barracks; 26th Juky 1912, Dublin, absent from Defaulters Roll Call, 9.00pm & 9.15pm, 3 days confined to Barracks; 21st December 1912, passed Class of Instruction, Transport Duties; 6th March 1913, Dublin, using obscene language in the Barrack room, 7 days confined to Barracks; 24th March 1913, Dublin, absent from Tattoo till 11.20pm, 5 days confined to Barracks; 18th April 1913, Dublin, creating a disturbance on a tram cab, 8 days confined to Barracks; 25th April 1913, Dublin, gambling in Barrack Room, about 10.05pm, confined to Barracks; 3rd May 1913, Camp Kilbride, firing before the order to commence was given, 3 days confined to Barracks; 26th May 1913, Camp Kilbride, dirty & not shaved when parading for firing, 3 days confined to Barracks; 1st June 1913, Dublin, absent from Tattoo until 2.05 on 2nd June, 7 days confined to Barracks; 11th July 1913, Wickford?, using obscene language on Parade, 7 days confined to Barracks; 24th July 1913, Dublin, having a button of the back of great coat, 3 days confined to Barracks; 30th July 1913, Dublin, having dirty equipment on Parade, 3 days confined to Barracks; 8th August 1913, Dublin, absent from Tattoo until 4.30pm on 9th August , when warned for the line of march at 7.30am, 14 days confined to Barracks, forfeits 2 days pay; 16th August 1913 to 20th August 1913, King George V Hospital, Dublin, myalgia, possible due to chill, not severe rest & aspirin; 7th October 1913, Dublin, being deficient of 6 rounds of ball ammunition when dismounting from strike ?????, 168 hours detention, 8th October to 15th October; 20th November 1913 to 24th November 1913, King George V Hospital, Dublin, epistaxis, history of bleeding from the nose, no fresh bleeding whilst in hospital, general condition good, tract normal; 14th March 1914, Dublin, improper conduct in Sackville Street about 10.05pm, not returning to Barracks when ordered to, 10 days confined to Barracks; 29th June 1914, Kilbride Camp, having a dirty rifle on Parade, 7 days confined to Barracks; 25th July 1914, Dublin, absent from Tattoo until 8.55am 26th & absent from Church Parade at 9.35am 26th, 7 days confined to Barracks, forfeits 1 days pay; 14th August 1914, posted BEF; 21st September 1914, cellulitis foot, to England; 23rd September 1914 to 2nd October 1914, Bristol Hospital, abrasions over left tends achilles, caused through boot rubbing; 28th October 1914, posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 21st November 1914 to 30th November 1914, absent, deprived of 25 days pay; 18th April 1915, posted wounded & missing.

31st December 1919, Statement of Relatives - Mother, Julian Donovan, age 42, 44 Andover Road, Holloway, N; Brother - Jonathan Donovan, age 8, 44 Andover Road, Holloway, N; Sister - Bridget Donovan, age 21, 44 Andover Road, Holloway, N.

Buried at Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery, VIII. K. 10., Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

AWARDS: DCM

London Gazette 18th February 1915.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers,- Non-commissioned Officers, and men for acts of gallantry and ' devotion to duty whilst serving with the Expeditionary Force. The particulars of the acts of gallantry will be published in the London Gazette on an early date.

9831 Private P. Donovan, 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment.

London Gazette 1st April 1915.

Distinguished Conduct Medal

9831. Private P Donovan, 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment.

For gallant conduct on 23rd August 1914 at St Chislain; whilst his Battalion was retreating he returned towards the enemy, under heavy fire and placed a wounded man under cover.

This page was last updated on 29-Aug-2018.