Sergeant William Donohoe

Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: William James Donohoe
Ancestor's date of birth: 16/09/1880
Ancestor's date of death: 22/10/1960
Cause of Death: Heart
Service Number: Detail not provided
Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Paddington
Unit: NSW Citizen's Bushmen/Headquarters
Rank attained in Boer War: SGT, Date Effective: 1900?
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): Detail not provided
Murray Page: Not recorded in Murray
Contingent: Third New South Wales
Ship: Atlantian or Maplemore, Date of Sailing: 28/02/1900
Memorial details: Detail not provided
Decorations: Most likely would have been entitled to the Queen's South Africa Medal and one clasp
Personal Characteristics: Height 167 cm, Stocky build
Reasons to go and fight: Patriotism
Details of service in war: Reputedly did not see active service.
Service and life after the Boer War: William enlisted in NSW Citizen's Bushmen. Despatched to Boer War in 1900. Actually departed Australia. Returned to Australia shortly after arrival overseas and was placed in the Unit's Headquarters at Victoria Barracks. Promoted to Sergeant, he became the Unit's Heliograph Trainer. His training manual is still held in the family archives. Recorded as a full member of the NSW Branch of the Old Comrades. The Minutes of the organisation's 1904 Annual General Meeting lately held in the Archives of the Army Museum in Victoria Barracks, Paddington, NSW, recorded his attendance. This membership acknowledges his service with the British Army. A mate attended his funeral and said that they served with a Scottish Unit together for a short time. They were shipped back to Australia because, being from Irish families, they objected to wearing Scottish Kilts. He is one of many men whose families claim that their ancestor served and who were omitted from Col Murray's 'Official' Roll. The same story is passed down. These men were declared excess to establishment on arrival and were loaned to the British Army. When shown a 1901 made Lee Enfield and asked if this was the rifle he used, he said, 'No!' His rifle was bigger and heavier. This describes the Lee Enfield "Long" Rifle, only issued to British Infantry. The NSW Army used the martini Enfield first and later (as Australian Units), the Lee Enfield 'Short' Calvary rifle. About 200 hundred of the 'Long' rifles reached Australia with men returning to Australia and were immediately handed over to the Sydney Port Division of the Naval Brigade which took them to the Boxer Rebellion. These weapons were used by the RAN for firing at Anti-shipping Sea Mines and were still in service with the RAN during the 1960s for line transferring operations. William was a professional athlete (runner) for several years and operated a Hansom Cab. Married in 1904 to Edith Rebecca Harding. Two children Edith Ann (Datson) b. 1906 and Hugh b. 1911. Seriously injured in traffic accident and became first Australian treated with plastic surgery (successful). Went into watercart/street cleaning business up until Sydney Council purchased his business. He then became a street cleaner with the Council and was a foundation member of the Municipal Workers Union. Politically sensitive, he had joined the Australian Labor League in 1901. He won ALL pre-selection for 1912 Elections but withdrew for 'temperamental' reasons. He vigorously opposed conscription in WW1 and remained with the Labor Party through the ensuing schisms. He was expelled from the ALP during the Split of the early 1950s even though he was not involved with any of the Divisions.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: James Donohoe, West Pennant Hills NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson
Name of Descendant: Michael James George Donohoe, Epping NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grandson
Name of Descendant: James Michael Donohoe, Epping NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Great Grandson

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