George Donson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Donson was born in 1879 at Southwell. He was the son of John, a silk weaver, and Martha Donson née Morton of Westhorpe, Southwell. His father John was born in 1838 at Southwell and died in 1903 at Southwell. His mother Martha Morton was born in 1842 at Southwell. They were married in 1863 at Southwell and had the following children; John b1867, Ann b1871, William b1873, Mary b1875 and George b1879. All the children were born in Southwell. George married Mary Ann Smith in 1914 at Belper. They lived at 67 George Street, Riddings, Alfreton, Derbyshire. They had a son, Bernard Donson, born 10th April 1915. Following George's death his widow was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 9 pence with effect from 30th July 1917.
Private George Donson enlisted at Mansfield he served with the 36th (Territorial) battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. George died of pneumonia on 8th January 1917 at Hamilton Road Military Hospital, Colchester. He was buried in Colchester Cemetery, Essex (grave reference F.9.12).
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Leaving him to sleep in trust till the resurrection day' His brother Private William Donson was living in Frome, Somerset, when he enlisted in the 28th Labour Company of the Army Service Corps. He was serving in Salonkia when he contracted malaria and was transferred to the Military Hospital at Valetta, Malta where he died on 26th October 1916. He is buried at Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.
