DONKIN, Cyril
| Service Number: | 78 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 August 1915, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 42nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 9 May 1886 |
| Home Town: | Milton, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Grazier |
| Died: | Natural causes (illness), Timber Creek, Northern Territory, Australia, 14 April 1934, aged 47 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Charleville War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 78, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Jun 1916: | Involvement 78, 42nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Jun 1916: | Embarked 78, 42nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Borda, Sydney | |
| 27 Oct 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 42nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Broodseinde Ridge, 'conspicuous bravery and coolness in action' | |
| 16 May 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 78, 42nd Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Cyril Donkin's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Paul Trevor
'BELGIAN CONSUL'S SON ENLISTS.
Mr. Cyril Donkin, youngest son of Mr. Henry Donkin (Consul for Belgium), enlisted yesterday, and hopes shortly to proceed to the Front.' from The Brisbane Courier 25 Aug 1915 (nla.gov.au)
'Personal Notes.
Mrs. Cyril Donkln yesterday received a private cable stating that her husband, Sergeant Cyril Donkin, had been awarded a Military Medal, and was well.' from The Telegraph 30 Nov 1917 (nla.gov.au)
'PERSONAL NOTES.
Mr. G. J. Armstrong, Killeen, Milton, has received word from the military authorities that his son, Private Robert Milton Armstrong, was in the Canadian Hospital, France, suffering from the effects of shell gas, and that his son-in-law, Sergeant Cyril Donkin, was ill in the Kitchener Military Hospital, Brighton, England.' from The Brisbane Courier 21 Dec 1917 (nla.gov.au)
'WITH THE COLORS.
Mr. Henry Donkin has received a letter from his son, Sergt. Cyril Donkin, telling him that he (Cyril) had been awarded the Military Medal for "conspicuous bravery and coolness in action." When all the officers were casualties he took charge of the company and carried on.' from The Daily Mail 9 Jan 1918 (nla.gov.au)
'MILITARY MEDAL.
No. 78, Sergeant Cyril Donkin, 42nd Infantry Battalion.— He enlisted at Brisbane on August 24, 1915, and embarked for active service with the 36th Infantry Battalion on June 3, 1916, subsequently being transferred to the 42nd Infantry Battalion. Was reported ill. Was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Returned to Australia on April 16, 1918, and discharged as medically unfit for further active service on May 16, 1918. During the offensive at Passchendaele on October 4, 1917, when the officer of his platoon was a casualty, he assumed control under heavy, shell fire, and organised the consolidating of the positions taken from the Germans.' from Daily Standard 22 July 1918 (nla.gov.au)
'DEATH AT TIMBER CREEK.
Superintendent Stretton to-day (Tuesday, May 15), supplied the following information:--Cyril Donkin died at the Police Station at Timber Creek on 14th April. Deceased was a stockman, who had been employed droving by Chartes D'Arcy. He is believed to be a widower, and to have a daughter residing in Queensland. For some time prior to his death deceased had suffered severely from the effects of war injuries. He was well known in the Quilpie and Charleville districts of Queensland. Mounted Constable Fitzer of the Timber Creek police station, and Mrs. James, of the Victoria River Depot did everything possible to alleviate his sufferings, but, in spite of their care and attention, he passed away.' from Northern Standard 15 May 1934 (nla.gov.au)
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