Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Sergeant Herbert Bede Donahee (Service Nos. 115, 1927, and 7683), an Australian veteran who served in both the Boer War and the First World War—undertaking two separate periods of enlistment in the latter—is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now honoured with plaques recognising their service to Australia.

On 23 September 2023, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Born on 15 April 1877 in Hay, New South Wales, to Thomas Donahee and Sabina Donahee (née Prendergast), Herbert married Agnes Maud Ethel Coles on 26 November 1913.

His first period of service during the First World War began in late 1915, when he enlisted in Queensland as No. 1927 with the 2nd Remount Unit. He embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Orsova (A67) in November 1915 and served in Egypt, where he worked in the care and training of horses for mounted operations. Owing to ill health, he was returned to Australia twelve months later and discharged medically unfit.

Determined to serve again, Donahee re-enlisted on 19 December 1916 in Brisbane, this time as No. 7683 with the 26th Battalion, later transferring to the 15th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service on HMAT Euripides (A14) on 31 October 1917 and disembarked at Devonport, England, on 26 December. After training with the 12th Training Battalion at Codford, he proceeded to France in April 1918.

His time on the Western Front was marred by repeated illness, resulting in multiple hospitalisations at Calais, Boulogne, and Étaples between April and June 1918. He was subsequently evacuated to England, classified medically unfit for active service, and discharged from the Australian Imperial Force in December 1918.

After the war, Donahee lived in the Cunnamulla region of western Queensland, working as a station hand. On 25 September 1944, he wrote from Cunnamulla to the Department of the Army, Base Records Office in Canberra, requesting a full record of his service covering the years 1914–1918. He explained that rumours had circulated claiming he had served as a Military Policeman, and he sought official confirmation to refute the allegation, which he said made it difficult for him—at 67 years of age—to find employment due to the stigma attached to the role. He asked the department to provide a complete list of all the units in which he had served and to include his earlier service in the South African (Boer) War with the 3rd New South Wales Bushmen.

By 1949, Herbert was a resident of Eventide Nursing Home, Sandgate. He died on 26 January 1951, aged 73, and was buried four days later in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity has now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.