Heslop's Local Advertiser 17/03/1916

Illustrated Chronicle

Joseph Donnolly was born in January 1893 in St Bede, Gateshead, Durham, the son of Joseph Donnelly, [who came from Ireland], and his wife Bridget. His father died, whilst Joseph was a child.

Joseph was residing at his Grandmother's, Margaret Baldwin, Boarding House at 131 to 135 Pipewellgate, Gateshead, Durham, in 1901.

Joseph enlisted into the Territorial Force on the 19th April 1910 at Gateshead. He signed up for 4 years short service, in the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry [formerly the 5th Volunteer Battalion]. His declared age at enlistment was 17 years 3 months. Joseph was a Plumber Labourer working for the Newcastle and Gateshead Gas Company, and was living at 18 Nile Street. Gateshead.

His physical description was described as good, 5 feet 2 inches tall. Joseph was enlisted into the then 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

His service record indicates that he attended the annual Summer camps which was held every year for two weeks. Starting at Rothbury, 24th July to the 7th August 1910, Strenall, 30th July to 13th August 1911, was on leave in 1912. He then re-signed on for another four years and was promoted Lance-Corporal 18th July 1913.

Further promotion to Corporal followed 13th July 1914. On the outbreak of war, he was transferred to the Reserve battalion 2/9th Durham Light Infantry and reverted back to a Private at his own request.

On the 22nd February 1915, he was promoted to a Corporal, then transferred to the 1/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 28th October 1915 in preparation to go overseas. He embarked at Southampton on the 30th October and arrived at Le Harve on the 31st October.

On the 5th November he was attached to the 3rd Entrenching Battalion at 3rd Army.

On the 22nd January 1916, he reverts back to Lance-Corporal.

He was killed in action on the 23rd February 1916.

Meanwhile, his mother Bridget Donnelly had married Edward Lawson and they were residing at 6 Neville Street, Felling. Joseph's brother John was residing at 54 Hewitson Terrace, Felling, and his oldest sister Kay had married a Mr Carson and were living at 14 Neville Street, Felling, his younger sister Isabella was still residing at 6 Neville Street, Felling, Gateshead, Durham c1916.

His death also was reported in Heslop's Weekly Advertiser 17/03/1916:

"Sergeant Joseph Donnelly, killed in action in France, February 23rd, aged 21 years. Son of Mrs. Lawson, and the late Joseph Donnelly, step-son of Edward Lawson, Neville Street, Felling."

A Short History of the Newcastle and Gateshead Gas Company.

The Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead Union Gaslight Company was formed in 1838 by the union of two pre-existing companies - one company established for lighting with gas the Borough of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and neighbourhood and the other for lighting with gas the Borough of Gateshead in the county of Durham. The Elswick gasworks first opened in 1864. The company was dissolved and incorporated as the Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead Gas Company in 1864. By Act of Parliament in 1896 and 1901 the company was empowered to buy land and construct works and in 1916 a further Act of Parliament allowed the company to extend its limits to meet demand in newly urbanised areas. In 1924 NWG took over the Walker and Wallsend Union Gas Company and the Chester-Le-Street Gas Company Ltd, followed in 1928 with the absorption of the Tynemouth Gas Company. Profit sharing was introduced as part of an Act of Parliament in 1929. In 1937 they took over the South Sheilds Gas Company and in 1940 the Morpeth Gas Light Company (1902) Ltd. On nationalisation the undertaking vested in the NGB.

Source: The National Gas Archive

Joseph Donnelly is remembered at Felling on F32.06

His rank is given as "Private" on the CWGC entry.

The Territorial Act of 1907
The Newcastle and Gateshead Gas Company
The CWGC entry for Private Donnelly