The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1281 Location: Netherlands

Hi,

I would be very grateful to anybody who could provide me the details published in the Perth Advertiser on the 12th June 1918 on the death of 84168 L/Bdr William Donaldson who was KIA on the 31st May 1918 while serving with D Battery 231 Brigade RFA.

Rgds,
Alex
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Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 2:04 pm Post subject:

Alex - here you are. It seems to be the only reference to William during the war years.
AUCHTERARDER
Bomb. William Donaldson (20), RFA (killed), was a son of Mrs Donaldson of High Street, Auchterarder. He was formerly employed as a farm servant.
_________________
Ken

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1281 Location: Netherlands

Many thanks Ken. I have found a Mrs Christina Donaldson residing at 2 Chapel Place Inverkeithing in both the 1920 and 1925 Rolls. I now believe her to be the widowed mother of William and that he is the William Donaldson commemorated on the Inverkeithing WW1 Memorial.

Rgds,
Alex
_________________
Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 4:32 pm Post subject:

Hmmm?
There is a William Donaldson with a mother named Christina on the 1901 census at Aberdour
George Donaldson 53
Christina Donaldson 49
George Donaldson 21
William Donaldson 17
Euphemie Donaldson 15
Elizabeth Donaldson 9
David Donaldson 7

The soldiers effects register for "your man" has mother Christina and brother John.

But there was a John in 1891 at Abernethy, Perthshire
George Donaldson 42
Christina Donaldson 38
Ann Donaldson 14
George Donaldson 11
John Donaldson 9
William Donaldson 7
Euphemia Donaldson 5
Christina Donaldson 2

But why would he only "benefit" one brother?????

Oh the joys of research!
_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 4:38 pm Post subject:

Wait a minute!
The William on these census would have been born about 1884, whereas your fellow was only 20 when he was killed in 1918 (c.1898)
So not the same man.
_________________
Ken

dhubthaigh · Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 11:42 am Post subject:

As Ken states: "Oh the joys of research!"

Involving Perthshire I had a closer look at this.

Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Bombardier
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery
Unit Text: "D" Bty. 231st Bde.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 31/05/1918
Service No: 84168
Additional information: Son of Mrs. Donaldson, of 196, High St., Auchterarder, and the late James Donaldson.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. C. 11.
Cemetery: FOUQUIERES CHURCHYARD EXTENSION

Place of Birth: Dundee

THE STRATHEARN HERALD: 15.06.1918
AUCHTERARDER ARTILLERYMAN KILLED

Mrs Donaldson, High Street, Auchrterarder, has received intimation that her son, Lance-Bombardier William Donaldson, R.F.A., was killed in France on the 31st May. Lance-Bombardier Donaldson, who was 20 years of age, enlisted before he was eighteen, and served in the Gallipoli Campaign. He was also at the Battle of the Somme. Prior to enlistment he was employed as a farm servant.

Soldier's Effects records his mother as Christina. CWGC entry has his father as the late James.

There is also a Joseph Donaldson on Auchterarder War Memorial:

Name: DONALDSON
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Seaforth Highlanders
Unit Text: 1st/4th Bn.
Date of Death: between 26/10/1918 and 29/10/1918
Service No: S/41994
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: C.2. 2.
Cemetery: AULNOY COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Place of Birth: Birkhill, Fife.

No casualty report/obituary yet found.

Soldier's Effects records his mother as Christina.

On page 30 of the Roll of Honour publication for Auchterarder:

Donaldson, Joe and Donaldson, William - whose address is shown as 196 High Street, Auchterarder.

So, a fair assumption they were brothers.

Ancestry 1901 Census, residing at Birkhill Cottage, Balmerino, Fife.

James (53), James (7), William Donaldson (10 - bn. Dundee), Joseph Donaldson (7 - bn. Balmerino), Catherine Broadfoot (bn. Auchterarder), and John Donaldson.

If not completely accurate a resonable fit.

The 1891 census has 'Christina' Broadfoot in service at Henhill House, Forteviot, Perthshire - the home of Robert Gardiner, J.P. for West Perthshire.

Joseph Donaldson (illegitimate) is born in 1899 at Birkhill Cottage, Balmerino, Fife son of James Donaldson (Cattleman) and Catherine (scored out and replaced by Christina) 'Proudfoot' Housekeeper.

A death is recorded of Christina Donaldson, widow of James Donaldson (Labourer) at 196 High Street, Auchterarder in May, 1921. Her parents are William Broadfoot (reputed father) and Margaret Riddoch.

As far as I can see James and Christina were common law partners but never actually married.

Christina appears in the 1915 Valuation Rolls at 190 High Street, Auchterarder.

I eventually found the birth of William Donaldson (William Broadfoot on Scotlands People indexes) born 1896 (illegitimate) in Dundee. Parents - James Donaldson and Christina Broadfoot.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 11:50 am Post subject:

Hi Alex,

Christina Donaldson is not William's widowed mother residing in Inverkeithing.

However, if William Donaldson was a farm servant he may have been down that way. Hopefully this information might help. Would be interested to hear if you nail him down.

Mark

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1281 Location: Netherlands

Hi,

Thanks for the information, indeed I now doubt that I have the correct William.

One other question, I have downloaded all the William Donaldsons' who died from 1914 to 1923 from SP. If a serviceman died at home would his death be registered as a Service Return?

Rgds,
Alex
_________________
Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 3:40 pm Post subject:

Alex - I think that if he died at his home he would not appear on the service return (although if he was a serving soldier, he might). Generally if he died in the UK, even in hospital, I would expect to find him on the civil record.

As another thought these are the Williams awarded a Silver War Badge due to wounds or sickness. (the 2nd Number is the service number)
Might have died after discharge????

William Donaldson
B223515 Royal Artillery (Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery) 663030

William Donaldson
B346316 Royal Garrison Artillery 300031

William Donaldson
217851 8th Battn S/13286 [sic]

William Donaldson
339144 Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 202534

William Donaldson
190949 Royal Warwickshire Regiment 240263

William Donaldson
403545 East Yorkshire Regiment 12/556

William Donaldson
480642 Royal Defence Corps 5760

William Donaldson
B326788 Labour Corps 386058

William Donaldson
B328547 Labour Corps 236314

William Donaldson
275034 Army Service Corps M2/051686

William Donaldson
B322219 Army Service Corps S/440087

William Donaldson
81680 Seaforth Highlanders S/8880

William Donaldson
78296 The Black Watch (Royal HigHussars) Elen Depot S/8362 [sic]

William Findlay Donaldson
B207997 Royal Army Medical Corps 130903

William J. Donaldson
507159 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2601

William Morris Donaldson
B180756 Army Service Corps T/325513
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Ken

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1281 Location: Netherlands

Many thanks Ken.

Rgds,
Alex
_________________
Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

john burnett · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 790 Location: Fife

Alex,
think your William Donaldson is the KOSB one who was killed 19 July 1916.
Will post more information under your Inverkeithing query.