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Private John Donnelly was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers when he died of his wounds on Saturday 6th April 1918. |
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John Donnelly was born on 12th October 1895 in Kilrea. He was one of 11 children, eight surviving. |
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Family: John Donnelly, Annie Donnelly, Ellen J Donnelly (born 22nd January 1880), Daniel Donnelly (born 12th November 1881), Elizabeth Donnelly (born 9th March 1883), Annie Donnelly (born 29th September 1884), Emma Donnelly (born 20th June 1888), Jemima Donnelly (born 17th November 1889), Matilda Donnelly (born 28th August 1892), Henry J Donnelly (born 11th June 1894, died 2nd March 1909, age 15), John Donnelly (born 12th October 1895), Robert Donnelly (born 16th January 1897, died 20th January 1897), Margaret Donnelly (born 15th March 1901). |
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The 1901 census lists John as age 5 living with the family at house 34 in Movanagher, Kilrea, County Londonderry. His father was an agricultural labourer. |
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The 1911 census lists John as age 15 living with the family at house 7 in Movanagher, Kilrea. Both John and his father were labourers. |
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John Donnelly enlisted in Edinburgh. |
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Private Donnelly survived the battles at the Somme and Messines and other fierce engagements of 1917. |
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John Donnelly was the son of John and Annie Donnelly. John Donnelly and Annie Gilmour were married about 1879. |
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His left leg was so badly injured and infected that it had to be amputated at the thigh. |
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Private John Donnelly is buried Hollybrook Cemetery in Southampton. Hollybrook is just metres away from Southampton Hospital. |
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The CWGC record Private John Donnelly as the son of John and Annie Donnelly of Coleraine Street, Kilrea, Co. Derry |
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Last Will and Testament of Private John Donnelly dated 1st May 1917: |
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In the event of my death, I leave all I possess to my mother Mrs J Donnelly, Movanagher, Kilrea, County Derry. J Donnelly. Private, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 1st May 1917. |
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In March 1918 he was badly wounded and was taken from the front and transferred by ship to Southampton hospital in England. |
