Pensioner at age 32?

[taniav]

Have noticed you have another thread about Daniel, so presume this might be your man? This is what the papers say:

No.32233 Rifle Depot
William DONOVAN
13 Perth Street, Stepney
aged 21 years and 1 month
unmarried
Attestation Paper signed 11 Dec 1915

Height 5 foot 5 and a quarter inches
Chest measurement 34 inches
Distinctive Marks: "I love Annie Coughlin" & clasped hands [arms?]

Next of Kin: Daniel and Ellen Donovan
Father and Mother
13 Perth Street, Stepney.

Posted originally to Rifle Depot, Winchester

Discharged no longer physically fit for War Service 30:8:17

Adm. to Pension 24 Oct 1917
Rifleman William DONOVAN
Kings Royal Rifle Corps 5th Btn
Date of Discharge 30:8:17
Age on commencement of pension: 22 Born Nov 1894
13 Perth Street, Stepney, London
Character: Good
Cause of Discharge: Physically unfit. Contusion Right ankle joint.
Injury sustained Sheerness 6:12:16. Result of ordinary military service. Accident when at Bayonet Practice.

Award: £82:10:0

Former trade: Carman

Several more pages of medical reports etc which you might like to read if this is your man

Thanks Sue I didn't realise there was more than one page that is really going to help my search not only with this one but others in my treet. I just thought the info was only on the first page displayed so your info has been a great help. Thanks again. Tan

[Sue Mackay]

Thanks Sue I didn't realise there was more than one page that is really going to help my search not only with this one but others in my treet. I just thought the info was only on the first page displayed so your info has been a great help. Thanks again. Tan

My pleasure. Do let us know if you find out who Annie Coughlin was!!

[Thomasin]

Surprisingly, there's only one candidate for the dubious pleasure of being forever remembered in this way - Annie Coughlin, daughter of an Irish stevedore's labourer, born in the summer of 1889, St George in the East, London. Ref: RG12; piece 288; folio 76; page 15. Long live Annie!

Thomasin

[birdlip]

Well spotted Thomasin. As the Aussies say "I'll bet she was a good sort!"

[John Donovan]

Not sure certainly not his wife she was Lilian Maud Beatrice Baker but they didn't get married until 1919 so it is possible that Annie was a former sweetheart especially as he was unmarried.

Just found this site so sorry for the delay. Bill Donovan was my Great Uncle, and if your information is correct about his wife being Lilian, then your Bill Donovan was not the Bill from 13 Perth Street. My Gt Uncle was a lifelong bachelor, I knew Bill in my younger years as a single man living at number 13, and the story my dad told me was that he received a 'Dear John' letter from his sweetheart while serving in the war, and as a consequence never married. As a Donovan myself I have a fair amount of knowledge of the entire family, I've indicated in my registration I can be contacted, so if you want to know what I know, tell me who you are and where you are in the grand scheme of things, and we can chat.
Best wishes, John D

[John Donovan]

Hi Taniav, please see post number 15

[Pam Downes]

Hello John,

Welcome to British-Genealogy.

Unfortunately taniav is no longer a member of the forum (indicated by the word 'guest' under her name).

However, either she, or another relative of Bill's, may come across your post by chance so you might still be able to make contact with some unknown cousins.

Pam

[John Donovan]

Thanks Pam, we'll see what happens.

John