2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
16/05/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age:
19
Summary
Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson was born in Moville, Donegal about 1896, He was the eldest son of Nixon and Margaret Anne Donaldson. His father was a police constable. Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson enlisted in Omagh. He was living in Gortin at the time. Corporal Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson was with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action during the Battle of Festubert on 16 May 1915 aged 19.
Further Information
Henry Donaldson was the eldest son of Nixon and Margaret Anne Donaldson. Nixon Donaldson and Margaret Anne Leger were married about 1895.
Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson was born in Moville, Donegal about 1896. He was the eldest of at least nine children. Because his father was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the children were born in many different places.
Known family: Nixon Donaldson. Margaret Anne Donaldson, Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson (born about 1896, Moville, County Donegal), Olive Victoria Maud Donaldson (born about 1898, County Donegal), Muriel A J Donaldson (born about 1900, County Donegal), Margaret Helda Eliza Donaldson (born about 1903, County Donegal), David Patrick Nixon Alex Donaldson (born about 1905, County Donegal), Muriel Anna Ruby Hall Donaldson (born 24th August 1907, Clogher), Harold Joseph Donaldson (born 8th January 1909, Omagh), Edith Donaldson (born 12th July 1915, Dungannon).
The 1901 census lists Henry V S as age 5, living with the family at house 40 in Elevenballyboes, Greencastle, County Donegal. Nixon Donaldson was a constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary.
The 1911 census does not lists Henry as living with the family at house 66.2 in Gortin Town, County Tyrone.
The 1911 census lists Sydney as age 15, an apprentice living at Gortaclare, near Omagh. He was working for Joseph Roulston, a Justice of the Peace, an auctioneer, a grocer and farmer.
Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson enlisted in Omagh. He was living in Gortin at the time.
Corporal Donaldson arrived in France on 3rd April 1915.
Corporal Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action during the Battle of Festubert on 16th May 1915, aged 19.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st June 1915: Dungannon Casualties
The Dead March in Saul was rendered on the organ in St Anne's Parish Church, Dungannon, at the conclusion of the Sunday morning service as a mark of respect for the memory of two members of the congregation belonging to the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who had laid down their lives for the Empire in France on the 15th and 16th May. Rev T J McEndoo, M.A., before entering upon his sermon, referred to the death in action of Corporal H V S Donaldson, son of Sergeant N Donaldson, R.I.C., Dungannon, and said that on the previous Sunday they had mourned for the death of Private W R Dickson, Lisnahull.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th June 1915: Private Meenagh in the Big Fight
Private L Meenagh, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing to his brother, Mr John Meenagh, Georges Street, Dungannon, says he is still alive and well. The Inniskillings had a terrible battle on Saturday night, 15th May. The fight lasted all Sunday and they succeeded in capturing three German trenches, and made an advance of three miles. Unfortunately the Inniskillings lost heavily, and a number of his chums were wounded. He mentions that Corporal Sidney Donaldson (son of Sergeant Donaldson) has been wounded. His brigade is now back from the trenches for a rest.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 8th July 1915:
Corporal H V S Donaldson, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, son of Sergeant Donaldson, R.I.C., Market Street, Dungannon, is stated in the latest casualty list as missing. He could not be traced after the severe fighting at Festubert, where the Inniskillings gained so much credit, although his uncle, Sergeant Le Gear, of the same battalion, made every enquiry about him on the spot.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 2nd September 1915:
Sergeant Nixon Donaldson R.I.C., Dungannon, is most anxious to ascertain information regarding his son, Corporal Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson (10699) 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who took part in the heavy fighting at Festubert on 16th May, and was posted as missing on that day.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 8th April 1916:
A notification has been received from the War Office was received yesterday by Sergeant N Donaldson, R.I.C., Dungannon, intimating that his eldest son, Corporal H V S Donaldson, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who had previously been reported missing, was killed in action during the Inniskillings’ famous charge at Festubert on 16th May 1915. Corporal Donaldson, who was only 19 years of age, was a nephew of Captain John T O’Neill, 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, now at Ballykinlar, and of Quartermaster Sergeant Philip Le Gear, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was also present at the Battle of Festubert.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 13 April 1916:
Sergeant Nixon Donaldson R.I.C., Dungannon, received intimation from the War Office last week that his eldest son, Corporal H B S Donaldson, Inniskillings, who had previously been reported missing, was killed in action during the Inniskillings' charge at Festubert on 16th May 1915. Accompanying the notification was an expression of sympathy from Lord Kitchener.
Corporal Donaldson is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial in France.
Corporal Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WWI Roll of Honour in St Anne's Church Of Ireland in Dungannon.
The CWGC record Corporal Henry Victor Sidney Donaldson as the son of Nixon and Margaret Anne Donaldson of 8 Orchard Terrace, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.
