DONOVAN, James Emanuel
| Service Number: | 19768 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 8th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Blacksmith |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 19768, 8th Field Artillery Brigade | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 May 1916: | Involvement 19768, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 20 May 1916: | Embarked 19768, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , HMAT Medic, Sydney | |
| 27 Apr 1919: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant |
I wont be home for Christmas
Jim spent his time overseas in France in the 8th Field Artillery Brigade. The 8th Brigade traces its origins to 1912. During World War I, the brigade was re-raised as part of the First Australian Imperial Force, being formed in 1916, when the AIF was being expanded in Egypt prior to its deployment to the Western Front. In 1917 Jim found time to send home Christmas Cards to to wife and children (see slideshow).
Submitted 2 May 2021 by James O'Meara
A family photo before I go.
For most of 1915 , Jim was posted in Seymour, Bendigo and Geelong. He was promoted to Lance Sergeant on April 1 , 2016 and left for Overseas on October 30th, 2016. Before he left he took the time to take a family portrait (see slideshow) with his wife ( Florence May) and this three children (Catherine, Hilma and Eva).
Submitted 2 May 2021 by James O'Meara
Take us all or you will get none of us
A blacksmith from Geelong goes with four mates sign up for the 8th Field Artillery Brigade on the 17th of July 1915. When arrived three of them were accepted but one was too short . So he replied takes us all or you will get none of us. Needless to say four men were signed up on that day.
Submitted 2 May 2021 by James O'Meara
Click images to start slideshow.