Pte 16800 Richard Donal (MM)

• Age: 24
• From: Edge Hill, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• Died Thursday 7th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Toxteth Park Cem, Liverpool
  Panel Ref: III.NC.1180

Richard (Dick) was born in Liverpool on 03rd May 1893, the son of Henry James Donal and his wife Sarah Ann (nee Clayton) who married in the June quarter of 1881. His baptism was 11^th June 1893 at Saint Catherine's Church, Edge-Hill, Liverpool. 

The 1901 Census taken on 31st March finds the family living at 39 Lightwood St, Edge Hill. Richard is 7 years of age and has three siblings in the household all born in Liverpool; Henry 5, Jessie 3 and Sarah 1.

At the time of the 1911 Census the family have moved to 15 Overton Street, Edge Hill, Richard is 17 years of age, single, and a clerk. His father, Henry is 53 years of age and his occupation is described as a painter, his mother, Sarah is 50 years of age. They have been married for 30 years and declared that they have had 11 children one of whom sadly died. The children declared on the Census were; William 25, Harry 15, Lizzie 19, Jessie 13, Cissy 11, Eveline 9 and Doris 7.

Dick enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02nd September 1914 joining the 18th Battalion as Private 16800. He gave his age  as 21yrs 122 days and his occupation was listed as a clerk. He is described as being 5' 6", 112lbs with a 33 and a half inch chest, hazel eyes, brown hair. His next of kin is shown as his father Henry James Donal.  

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

He was severley wounded and lost his leg in an explosion at Carnoy on 30th January 1916. Details of the circumstances of Dick's injuries and his bravery are contained in the following remarkable article from the Liverpool Echo of 29th March 1916 

A PAL'S BRAVERY.

The following an extract from a letter from one the " 2nd Pals " :— The following morning the inferno started. The second shell carried away my pal. He was hit in the head by shrapnel and killed instantly. It was my baptism of fire, but, believe me, it only hit me for a few minutes. From then on I was as callous as they make them. They battered our front line terribly. There came a sudden lull about midnight, and we knew then, what to expect. Bolts were eased, bayonets polished, bombs got ready, and every one took up his position. I lay on top of the parapet looking ahead, straining every nerve. For two hours lay like this, and then the word came through that they were coming. Over they came. We pitched bomb after bomb, and pumped heaps of lead into them for hours. In the excitement some of them got into our trench, and then you should have seen the scatter. Of course some of ours had a go. We lost two killed and twelve wounded. However, when we sorted them out we had three wounded prisoners, about twenty two dead, One of the wounded was wicked looking Prussian officer. We carried him in. In less than three minutes his Iron Cross, note book, cigar-case, and tunic buttons had changed hands as souvenirs. Then came the stretcher-bearers, and they worked like heroes. If some of the people who used to pick the "Pals" to pieces in Liverpool had seen some of these self-same "Pals" lying in dirty trenches, covered with wounds, and being dressed without a groan, they might have changed their tune. A chap who had his leg shot away has been mentioned for honours, He deserves the V.C. for the manner in which he crawled about the trench trying to comfort other wounded men. It was a sight that nothing will ever obliterate from my mind. As they carried him away he  stopped ay my Post and said, whilst holding out his hand to me, ''Well, ta-ta! I'll be in blighty (home) before you after all. Give them an extra bit for me, son!" Tears came into my eyes as I said, "Ta ta, Dick!" It was all could get put. We have been congratulated by the Major- General, and have got name with the regulars that will take a lot sullying. There is one thing that the attack belies, and that, that German Army is composed of old men and boys. The fellows we brought were the finest specimens you could wish to see. 

He was treated in France until he returned home  on 18th February 1916. He was discharged from service on 25th November 1916 as no longer physically fit for War service. He was Gazetted on 14th December 1916 for the Military Medal for his bravery referred to in the article above. The Military Medal was the equivalent of the Military Cross for men who were not officers. 

While Dick was recieving treatment at home the family suffered further tragedy when his mother died, aged 55, on October 15th 1916. Her death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 19th October:

DONAL - October 15 at 15 Overton Street, in her 56th year Sarah the dearly beloved wife of Henry J. Donal. Interment at Smithdown Road Cemetery today (Thursday) at 3:30 p.m.

Richard suffered  for over two years with his wounds before he died on the  07^th March 1918 , aged 24. The cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis. His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 11th March 1918: 

DONAL—March 7 at Parkhill Hospital, aged 24 years, Private R. DONAL (Dick), late K.L.R., third beloved son of Henry and the late Sarah Donal, 15, Overton-street. Interment with military honours at Smithdown-road Cemetery, to-morrow (Tuesday), at  2pm. 

On 18th March his family placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo:

DONAL—Mr. DONAL and Family sincerely thank all friends for their sympathy and floral tributes in their bereavement.—l5, Overton-street. 

Dick now rests at Toxteth Park Cemetery, Liverpool where his headstone bears the inscription:

“GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS”

There are 288 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

He is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 7

International Cotton Association, Walker House, Exchange Passage West, Liverpool

Earle United Reform Church, Earle Rd, Edge Hill, Liverpool

No Soldiers Effects record and pension went to dependant Miss Jeannie Donal. ("Jeannie" was the first child of the family; she appears on the electoral rolls at 15 Overton Street as Jeannie, Jennie and Jane Isabella).

We currently have no further information on Richard Donal. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.