Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
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153292
Private Harry Semmons Donkin
British Army Kings Royal Rifle Corps
from:West Jesmond, Newcastle
(d.17 May 1918 )
My uncle Harry Donkin died in a hospital in Maidstone of his wounds on 17 May 1918. He was 19 years old. I have started to research his war record and know that:
He enlisted in West Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, in the King's Royal Rifle corps with service number 19574. He was transferred to the Royal Scots at some point (I have a photograph of him in this regimental uniform) with the service number 302284. He died of his wounds in a hospital somewhere in Maidstone. Although he is recorded by the commonwealth war graves as being in the 9th battalion of the Royal Scots, he appears in 'Soldiers Died' under the 1st Battalion 'depot' as Harry Doukin (the n being mistaken for a u). On the medal roll index he originally appears as Dorkin but this has been corrected to his proper name of Donkin. The family apparently requested his medal in 1923 and one was issued at that time. I am interested to know where he served, where he was wounded and the nature of his injuries. I understand I will need to find out when he transferred from the Rifles to the Scots. Many thanks for your help.