William died on 13 August 1919 in Mesopotamia, modern day Iraq.

It seems that William’s surname is misspelt on Dolgellau’s War Memorial.

Research suggests he is William Donnan who, by the end of the war, was a Colonel in the Indian Army. He had spent most of his service life with the Indian Army and he retired in 1916 with the rank of Lt Colonel.

Following retirement it seems he was reinstated and was promoted. I have not found anything that shows into what part of the services he returned. 

His connection to Dolgellau seems to be linked by marriage, possibly to the Reveley family of Brynygwin, Dolgellau. The Reveley family had strong links to the local 7th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Presumably William is commemorated on the town’s memorial with Brynygwin as his address as the family considered it right he be commemorated in his adoptive town. I have done nothing to establish if he ever lived in, or visited, the town.

Records show that William died in modern day Iraq on 13 August 1919, some time after the end of hostilities. His death therefore could be explained as an accident or by natural causes.

Records also show that he is buried in Basra Military Cemetery in Iraq.

As recorded above, he is commemorated on the War Memorial in Dolgellau.

We will remember him.

 

 

Emrys Tippett