Saturday 13 September 2008

Private William John Donovan

Born on 27 November 1875 in St. Catherine, Quebec - husband of Susan Donovan, Ottawa, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as printer, married, currently a member of the military, twenty years of service in the Canadian militia (including three years in the 56th Regiment) and eight years in South Africa, Roman Catholic, height of 5 feet 7.5 inches, chest of 37 inches fully expanded, medium complexion, blue eyes, grey hair.

Joined the 77th Battalion, CEF, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 16 August 1915 (number 144722) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Bermuda on 6 December 1915 - landed in France with the 38th Battalion on 13 August 1916 - wounded on 27 or 28 October 1916 - invalided to England on 20 January 1917 - repatriated to Canada on 6 November 1917.

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Anonymous, An Historical Sketch of the Seventy-Seventh Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (Ottawa: War Publications Limited, 1926), p.179)

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