Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Joseph Jeran DORAN of Westoria, WA

Albert was the son of Joseph Teran Doran and Annie May Theresa Doran, of Midland Junction, Western Australia. He was born in Echuca, Victoria, Australia.

His older brother, Second Lieutenant Victor Frederick Doran 16th Battalion AIF, was killed in action near Messines, Belgium 11 June 1917, aged 27.

Albert arrived in England during February 1917.

He was almost 6 feet 2 inches in height and 13 stone, so was a large man by anyone’s standards. He only joined the 48th Battalion at the front on 16 September 1917 and was killed in action 4 weeks later.

In regards to Albert’s death, the following letter was received by the Red Cross; “Re Pte. A. P. Doran, who was reported killed in action on October 12, 1917, I was with the above named when he was killed at about 2.30 in. the afternoon. He was killed by a bullet through the forehead fired from a sniper's rifle just when the Germans - counter attacked our position, and died instantly, with a smile on his face. His last words, in reply to words to the effect that the enemy were advancing, were "We will get a few of them, anyhow." He was within two feet of me at the time. The attack of the enemy caused our withdrawal from the position we were then holding, so I can give you no particulars regarding his burial, but I presume that he was buried by the Canadians, who took the ridge on which his body lay, and it has been held by the British forces up to a fortnight ago, when it again passed into the hands of the enemy. He was killed on the ridge half a mile southwest of Passchendaele township, and I have no doubt his body lies buried there, for it was impossible to move him from the battlefield to any soldiers' cemetery. He was a particular friend of mine, and was respected by all with whom he came in contact. I have no doubt about his being the person you inquire for, so I do not think it necessary to supply particulars about his personal appearance further than to state he came from Western Australia with the 8th reinforcements of the 48th Battalion as Company Sergt.-Major, and that his brother, a Lieutenant, was killed just previously. I believe his mother resided at Midland Junction, but being blessed with a bad memory, I am not sure of this, though I often heard him speak of her. Cpl. Tom Moore. 48th Batt. A.I.F.”

During 1919 a brass tablet was placed and dedicated in the Midland Junction Presbyterian Church to pay tribute to the Doran brothers from their parents. The Doran tablet bears their names, service details and the inscription: "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

The parents returned to Victoria at some stage after the war. The mother, Annie May Therese Doran, passed away in 1938 and is buried in the Bendigo Cemetery. The memorial death plaques issued in memory of her two sons who both died in 1917, are attached to her headstone.