Private Albert Donnan
Albert Donnan was born on 25 May 1899 at 78 Montrose Street, Belfast, the fourth of ten children of joiner Thomas Donnan and his wife Annie (née Scott). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at the same address with his parents and his six surviving siblings (two more would be born in the next five years).
On 2 January 1915 Donnan enlisted at Belfast in the Army Service Corps (No. T/4/041118). He gave his occupation as heater boy and his age as 19 (he was actually only 15). Posted as a driver to No.253 Company of the 36th (Ulster) Divisional Train, he was twice disciplined, first for 'failing to adopt proper procedure after tattoo while on guard at Glencregagh stables' then for being 'absent from tattoo'.
Before his enlistment Donnan had been serving an apprenticeship, and could not join the army without his employer's permission. He had not done this and his employer claimed him back – he was discharged on 12 June 1915 (paragraph 392(iv), King's Regulations). He military character was recorded as 'good', his commanding officer Captain Robinson writing "During period under my command I have always found this man sober, honest, and truthful and can recommend him to anyone requiring a ready and willing worker."
Donnan enlisted again, in the Hussars, on 28 March 1917. Posted to the North Irish Horse between 27 June and 30 July that year, he was issued regimental number 2556 (later Corps of Hussars No.71893). It soon emerged, however, that he had epilepsy, and on 6 February 1918 he was discharged. He was granted a pension, as it was considered that the illness had been aggravated by his military service. As late as February 1923 his level of disability was assessed at 60 per cent.
After the war Donnan lived in Belfast and worked as a boilermaker. On 26 December 1921 he married Jean Martin in the Knock Presbyterian Church.
Donnan continued to suffer from epilepsy throughout his life (see below). He died in the Down Mental Hospital, 49 Belfast Road, Bangor, on 31 January 1936, and was buried in the Dundonald Cemetery.
Donnan's two older brothers also served in the war, in the 8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. Sergeant Charles Donnan was awarded the Croix-de-Guerre (French) in February 1918. Private David Donnan, after being wounded in the right thigh, was transferred to the Labour Corps.
Northern Whig and Belfast Post, 5 June 1930
Belfast Telegraph, 26 May 1932