John Dolan
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was born about 1880, the son of Andrew and Catherine (Kate) Dolan who were both born in Ireland. In 1901 Andrew and Catherine were living at 33 Newark Street, Sneinton. Andrew was a bricklayer/labourer. Six children were in the household on the night of the census: James (26), Margaret (18), John (16), William (12), Annie (10) and George (6). James was born in Walsall, Staffordshire, but his other siblings were born in Nottingham. When John attested for the Army Reserve in 1908 he confirmed that his father was dead. The death of an Andrew Dolan (b. abt. 1855) was registered in Nottingham in 1905 (Jan/Feb/Mar); he was 50 years old. John's mother (Kate Dolan) completed a form for the army in April 1921 giving the names of John's surviving blood relatives. The form was signed 'her mark' and witnessed by Michael Griffin, Priest, St Patrick's Church, London Road, Meadows. The form confirmed that John's father had died and that apart from his mother who was living at 62 Alfred Street South he had four siblings: two brothers, George Dolan (26) of 62 Alfred Street South and William Dolan (32) of Bunbury Terrace, Bunbury Street, Nottingham, and two sisters, Kathleen [surname illegible] (39) of 38 Alfred Street South and Annie Giles (30) of 17 Lamartine Street, Nottingham. Kathleen is probably the daughter named as 'Margaret' in the 1901 census; a Margaret Dolan married Joseph Henry Pepperdine in Nottingham in 1909. In 1911 Margaret (28) her husband and their son Joseph Eric (6m) were living at 17 Lamartine Street (the address given in 1921 for her sister Annie).
His service record survives but is badly damaged. John served in the Notts and Derby (Notts Rifle Volunteers) and in 1908 was deemed medically fit for the Army Reserve; he signed the attestation for the Army Reserve (Special Reservists), 6 years service. The medal roll shows that he arrived in France on 11 November 1914, probably serving with the 17th Battalion. John contravened army regulations on at least two occasions; in May 1916 he was deprived of 7 days pay for gambling and several months later was awarded 5 days Field Punishment for using obscene language to an NCO and insolence to an NCO. He spent several short periods in hospital for illness eg bronchitis, while serving in France but appears to have served continuously in theatre until wounded (gunshot wound to the arm) in September 1916. He was evacuated to England on 16 September and probably did not return to France until 3 March 1917. John rejoined the 17th Bn but on 19 March was posted to 2/7th Bn, joining 'C' Company on 22 March. He was killed the following month and is buried in Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery (grave ref. I.G.3).
His mother was his legatee and arrangements were made for John's personal possessions to be returned to her in October 1917. At the time she was living at 62 Alfred Street South, Nottingham.
No Photos