2nd Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
22/03/1892
Died:
23/12/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
25
Summary
John Alexander Doonan was the eldest son of Johnston and Anna Clara Doonan. He was born on 22nd March 1892 in Dungannon. He was the second of four children. By 1911 John was a drapery salesman in Omagh. His father was superintendent of Dungannon markets. Rifleman John Alexander Doonan was serving with the 2nd/18th Battalion of the London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) when he was killed in action in Palestine on the eve of Christmas on 23rd December 1917. Both of John’s also served during the war and survived. Both brothers received the Military Medal.
Further Information
John Alexander Doonan was the eldest son of Johnston and Anna Clara Doonan. John Doonan and Anna McKittrick were married about 1890, possibly in Galway.
John Alexander Doonan was born on 22nd March 1892 in Dungannon. He was the second of four children. the three youngest were born in Dungannon.
It seems the family moved to Dungannon from Galway in 1891.
Family: Johnston Doonan, Annie Clara Doonan, Alice Maud Mary Doonan (born about 1891, Galway), John Alexander Doonan (born 22nd March 1892) , Fredrick Johnston Doonan (born 16th April 1893) , Thomas Joseph Doonan (born 29th January 1895) .
The 1901 census records John Alexander as 9 years old living with the family in Ranfurly Terrace, Dungannon, Tyrone. His father is not listed as living with the family.
The 1911 census records John’s father as now living with the rest of the family at John Street, Dungannon. His occupation is described as “Weigh Master”.
By the time of the 1911 census, John is 19 years old has become a drapery salesman and now lives at High Street, Omagh.
His father, Mr Johnston Doonan, was superintendent of Dungannon markets and joined the 12th Inniskillings in 1915.
At some point John married and lived with his wife Kathleen at Scotch Street, Dungannon, County Tyrone.
Private John Doonan, who was in Messrs Arnott's Ltd. Belfast enlisted in Belfast.
He joined the London Irish Rifles and embarked for training at Safron Waldon, England.
1915
From the Tyrone Courier dated 28th October 1915: (Father of John Doonan)
Mr Johnston Doonan, caretaker of Dungannon Markets, has volunteered for service and joined the 12th Inniskilling Fusiliers at Newtownards. Mr Doonan had served his full period in the R.I.C. and had been stationed for a long time in Dungannon. His son, Mr Fred Doonan, is abroad with the Ulster Division.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th November 1915: Corporal Doonan Meets Friends at the Front (Fred Doonan - brother of John Doonan)
Lance Corporal Fed J Doonan, of the 9th Tyrone Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing to his mother Mrs Doonan, Dungannon says:-
‘We have been moving about from village to village for the last month, and there are very few villages in the north of France but we have been in. I could fill pages regarding our life in France, but so much is happening here it would be impossible to say everything. We kept moving so quietly about that in a very short time we were up in the town next to the firing line. I have been to the reserve trenches with the Commanding Officer, Major, Adjutant, and am thankful to have got back safely. Our battalion was in the firing line for over three days experience previous to taking over our own line of trenches, and had only one casualty – Donnell of Derry. It was practically his own fault, as he had been told to keep his head down by his Company Officer, but he took another look and was instantaneously shot between the eyes. He was a very bright chap of nineteen. We are back for a rest and a good bit from the firing line. You would be surprised to see our poor lads coming out of the trenches after three days without sleep. They are covered in mud from head to foot. We keep our old motto – ‘Keep Smiling’.
Jack Johnston and George Hickey came to see me. It was very dark and I had to light a match to see who they were, and I nearly fell with surprise and delight. They both came through a lot of fighting and are now in a rest camp close to our battalion.
I also met ‘Major’ McBride and young Donaghy. I was carrying a despatch for the colonel and had to cycle a few miles along the road to headquarters, and in passing the 6th Dragoons, I was surprised to hear Randy McManus and Harry Hamilton calling after me. I also met a little chap called Joe, who was chauffeur in Major Howard’s. I got sll the letters, papers and parcels, which I enjoyed very much, especially the nuts, etc. I was surprised to hear of father joining, but he had been often talking about it. He has done his duty.’
1916
From the Tyrone Courier dated 20th January 1916: A Patriotic Family
Mr Joseph Doonan, youngest son of Mr Johnston Doonan, Dungannon, and who served his apprenticeship at Messrs. J Langlands and Sons, has joined the London Irish Rifles and has being posted to Winchester. This places the family in the unique position of having the father and all his sons in the army. Lance Corporal Johnston Doonan, who was superintendent of Dungannon markets, joined the 12th Inniskillings some months ago. His eldest son, Private John Doonan, who was in Messrs Arnott's Ltd. Belfast, joined the London Irish Rifles and is training at Safron Waldon. His second son, Lance Corporal Fred Doonan, joined the 9th Inniskillings and is at present on active service with the Ulster Division. The family were all keen members of the U.V.F. and the departure of Private Joseph Doonan was made the occasion of a very hearty send-off.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 14th September 1916: Private Joseph Doonan (brother of John Doonan)
Private Joseph Doonan, London Regiment, in hospital in Liverpool suffering from injuries to the hand and arm, the result of an accident at the front, is the youngest son of Mr Johnston Doonan, caretaker of Dungannon markets, and who is serving as a sergeant in the reserve battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 16th September 1916: Rifleman Joseph Doonan (brother of John Doonan)
Rifleman Joseph Doonan, of the London Irish Rifles, has intimated to his mother, Mrs Doonan, Scotch Street, Dungannon, that he is at present in hospital in Liverpool suffering from injury to arm and hand. He was in the employment of Messrs John Langlands and Sons, Dungannon, and went out to France some months ago. He was a member of L.O.L. No 178, Dungannon, and was an energetic volunteer in the Dungannon Battalion U.V.F. His father is a sergeant in the 12th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and his two other brothers, Corporal Fred Doonan, of the Tyrone Volunteers, who is acting as personal observer for Colonel Ricardo, and Rifleman John A Doonan, of the London Irish Rifles, are at the front.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 16th September 1916:
Rifleman J A Doonan of the London Irish Rifles in a letter to a Dungannon friend says:-
'Our Battalion is doing fine out here so far and hope to do even better in the near future. We have some losses of course but very few in comparison to some other battalions. I see by the Dungannon News of the death in action of one of our chaps, J McNulty of Aughnacloy district. How are things going along with you in Dungannon? I suppose the same as usual. I see that Dungannon lads have suffered, but still there have not been so many killed, the greater number being wounded. I am sure Dungannon is scarce of chaps now and I often think when the war is over, the home coming will be a great day for everyone but it will be a little while yet before that day comes.'
From the Tyrone Courier dated 21 September 1916: Joseph Doonan (brother of John Doonan)
Rifleman Thomas Doonan, London Irish Rifles, youngest son of Sergeant Johnston Doonan, Dungannon, is in hospital in Liverpool suffering from injuries to the hand and arm, the result of an accident at the front. His father and two brothers are all serving.
1917
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 9th May 1917: Bravery in the Field - Joseph Doonan (brother of John Doonan)
A Dungannon soldier named Private Joseph Doonan, London Regiment, has been awarded the Military Medal for coolness during an attack on the German lines on Easter Saturday, and rescuing wounded under heavy shell and rifle fire. Private Doonan before volunteering was employed by Messrs John Langlands & Sons, Dungannon. His father, Mr Johnston Doonan, formerly caretaker of the Urban Council Markets, and his two brothers also volunteered, the former at present being a sergeant in the royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
From the Tyrone Courier dated 10 May 1917: Joseph Doonan (brother of Jack Doonan)
Much gratification will be occasioned in Dungannon at the announcement that another local soldier has succeeded in gaining the Military Medal (M.M) in the person of Private Joseph Doonan, of the London Irish Rifles. The first recipient, it will be remembered, was Corporal Joseph Quinn, who was unfortunately afterwards killed in action. The occasion on which Private Doonan gained the decoration was an attack on the German lines on Easter Saturday, and the medal is awarded for coolness during the attack and for bravery in rescuing wounded under heavy shell and rifle fire. Private Doonan belongs to a patriotic family. His father (Mr Johnston Doonan, formerly caretaker of Dungannon Markets), and his two brothers, Fred and Jack, having all volunteered for service sometime after the outbreak of war. Before enlisting, Private Doonan and his brother Fred were shop assistants in Messrs John Langlands & Sons, Dungannon.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 17th May 1917: Brave Dungannon Orangeman - Joseph Doonan (brother of John Doonan)
At a meeting of Volunteer Orange Lodge No. 178 held in Dungannon on Tuesday evening (Mr Barry Meglaughlin, W.M., D.G.M., presiding), a resolution was adopted heartily congratulating Private Joseph Doonan, London Regiment, a member of the lodge, on having been awarded the Military Medal for coolness and bravery in action and for rescuing wounded. Private Doonan’s father and two brothers are with the colours, and the resolution also wished them a safe and speedy return.
From the Tyrone Courier and News dated Thursday 20 December 1917: Joseph Doonan (brother of Jack Doonan)
Rifleman Joseph Doonan, Military Medal, London Regiment, who has been severely gassed, is the youngest of the three soldier sons of Sergeant Johnston Doonan, Dungannon, who himself volunteered with his boys for active service. This soldier obtained the Military Medal during the spring for his gallantry in carrying to safety several wounded men during heavy fire.
Private John Alexander Doonan was serving with the 2nd/18th Battalion of the London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) when he was killed in action in Palestine on the eve of Christmas on 23rd December 1917.
1918
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 8th January 1918:
Rifleman J Doonan, London Regiment, Dungannon, killed. His father and two brothers are in the Service.
Both of Private John Alexander Doonan's younger brothers also served during the war and survived. Both brothers received the Military Medal.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 13 June 1918: A Patriotic Family – Dungannon man obtains Military Medal
Lance Corporal Frederick Johnston Doonan, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has been awarded the Military Medal, is the second son of Sergeant Johnston Doonan, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, now a member of the recruiting staff at the City Hall, Belfast. Sergeant Doonan, who was the caretaker of the Dungannon market patriotically volunteered at the outbreak of war and all his three sons followed his example. Of these the eldest, Private John Doonan, was killed in action in Palestine and the youngest son, Private Joe Doonan, also obtained the Military Medal a year ago. The present recipient acted as Battalion Observer under Colonel (now Brigadier General) Ricardo and is at present Brigade Observer.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 28th August 1918: The Military Medal
His Majesty has approved of the award of this decoration to – Lance Corporal F Doonan, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Dungannon.
1919
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 20 March 1919: Dungannon Family Record – Two Military Medals
Lance Corporal Fred J Doonan, one of the three soldier sons of Ex-Sergeant Johnston Doonan, Dungannon was on Tuesday decorated with the Military Medal at the Enniskillen Military Barracks by Brigadier General Ward, commanding the 9th Cyclist Brigade. Lance Corporal Doonan, who was formerly in the employment of Messrs. John Langlands & Sons, Dungannon, joined up two months after the outbreak of war, and became attached to the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone). He went out with the Ulster Division as an Observer and Scout, about 12 months later, and was through the heavy engagements of the Somme on 1st July 1916, Messines Ridge in June 1917, the second battle of Ypres in August 1917, and Cambrai in November 1917, and escaped without a scratch throughout the whole campaign. He was awarded the Military Medal for his gallant conduct in preserving communications in the retreat from St Quentin on 21st March last year, when the communication lines had been cut by the enemy. Besides the Military Medal, Lance Corporal Doonan also holds a special certificate presented to him by General Rawlinson in recognition of his brave conduct on the occasion. In presenting the Medal, Brigadier General Ward commented on the recipient's gallant conduct after which a parade March Past of a company of the brigade was ordered. Lance Corporal Doonan's family bears a noble record of service, his father having joined up after 21 years service on the police force while his two brothers, Riflemen Jack and Joseph, willingly offered their services and did their bit, the former having paid the supreme sacrifice in Mesopotamia, while the latter who was also awarded the Military Medal for his gallant conduct in bringing in wounded under heavy fire, is still in Belgium. The three brothers were connected with the Dungannon A Company U.V.F., and belonged to the Orange Institution prior to volunteering, and the townspeople have every reason to be proud of their gallant and unique record.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 25 December 1919 : In Memorial
DOONAN: In loving memory of Rifleman John Alexander (Jack), 591998, 2/18 London Irish Rifles, killed outside Jerusalem, 23 December 1917. Sadly missed by his wife, father, mother, brothers, sister and brother-in-law. 'It is not death to live in the hearts of those who love us.'
Rifleman John Alexander Doonan is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel. His inscription reads: THE TOIL, THE BITTERNESS ALL PAST WE TRUST HIM TO THY LOVE AT LAST
Rifleman John Doonan 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 Rifleman John Alexander Doonan as the son of Johnston and Annie Doonan of Dungannon. He is also recorded as the husband of Kathleen Doonan of Scotch Street, Dungannon.
