| An almost identical photograph in the book The Irish Regiments, 1683-1999 by Ronald George Harris and Henry R. G. Wilson identify the man as Trumpeter Donovan of the 4th Dragoon Guards. According to the caption in the book Donovan was among the trumpeters selected from each British cavalry regiment to take part in the Delhi Durbar of 1902. This photograph was taken sometime in the 1904-08 while the 4th Dragoons where stationed in South Africa. A special thanks to Mr. Bruce R. Elfast for alerting me to the Donovan reference in The Irish Regiments, 1683-1999. Trumpeter Henry John Donovan remained a mystery for quite some time until a copy of his service papers finally came to light. As it turns out he had a long and rather interesting military career. Born in 1882 at Secunderabad, India Henry John Donovan's still un-named father was born at Cork, Ireland and was a member of the Royal Artillery. The young Donovan had traveled to Britain by 1896 when he attested at Canterbury with the 4th Dragoon Guards at the age of 15 with the rank of "Boy" His trade was listed as "Musician". Soldier's service records from that era being what they are no hint as to his familiar status at the time of his enlistment is mentioned. Did he return to England with his father? Had he been sent home to relatives? Had he been orphaned? His service papers make no mention of a father or mother under next of kin so the later possibility seems likely. A younger brother, Philip Daniel Donovan of the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment is mentioned as is a wife, Ada Amelia Brinton to whom Henry John Donovan was to marry at the later date of 1911. Posted as "Boy" with the 4th Dragoon Guards on 25 July, 1897 Donovan was briefly posted with the 3rd Dragoon Guards on 15 October, 1897. Reposted to the 4th Dragoons on 6 December, 1898, he would remain with this regiment for most of his military career. His promotions and posting were as follows: Appointed Bandsman: 25 July, 1899 Appointed Trumpeter: 25 March, 1902 Granted Good Conduct Pay: 25 July, 1902 Reverted to Private on reduction of establishment: 1 June, 1906 Re-engaged to complete 21 years service at Middleburg, Cape Colony: 13 November, 1907 Granted Good Conduct Pay: 25 July, 1908 Appointed Bandsman: 24 July, 1909 Appointed Lance Corporal: 21 March, 1912 Promoted Corporal: 5 February, 1913 Promoted Sergeant: 25 October, 1914 Posted Sergeant, 6th Reserve Regiment of Dragoons: 12 February, 1918 Posted Sergeant, 4th Dragoon Guards: 18 December, 1918 Discharged from Service: 1 May, 1919 Henry John Donovan served a total of 22 years, 281 day with the colours. His postings both home and abroad included: Home: 25 July, 1896 - 5 December, 1898 India: 6 December, 1898 - 14 October, 1904 South Africa: 15 October, 1904 - 17 November, 1908 Home: 18 November, 1908 - 5 August, 1914 British Expeditionary Force (France): 6 August, 1914 - 9 November, 1914 Home: 10 November, 1918 - 1 May, 1919 While in India Donovan was selected for rare privilege of service as Trumpeter during the 1911 Delhi Durbar of King George V for which he was entitled to the 1911 Durbar Medal. While Donovan's time on the Western Front during World War One was limited to 86 day he was to receive a Mention in Despatches on 22 June, 1915. He was also awarded the Russian Cross of the Order of St. George, 4th Class on an unspecified date. On 13 April, 1915 He would be presented the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with gratuity. Donovan's World War One Medal Index Card shows his entitlement to the 1914 Star and the British War and Victory Medals. Unfortunately Donovan's Gazette entry makes no mention as to the specifics of his action that brought about his Mention in Despatches. It is perhaps safe to assume that whatever that act may have been it also resulting in his being presented with the Russian Order of St. George which was awarded for "extreme bravery in face of the enemy". As mentioned above Donovan married Miss Ada Amelia Brinton on 12 August, 1911 at All Saints Church, London. They had four children; Henry John born in 1917, Ada Kathleen born in 1913, Daniel born in 1914 and Sheila born in 1916. Ada Amelia Donovan died on 2 November, 1918. No additional records have been found for Henry John Donovan post dating World War One. Cabinet Photograph William H. Gill - Photographer Edina House Studio, Middleburg, Cape Colony, South Africa c. 1906 |
| Above: A reconstruction of Donovan's Medal group based on information found in his service papers. From left: the 1914 Star, the British War Medal, the British Victory Medal (with MID Device) 1911 Delhi Durbar Medal and the Russian Order of St. George, 4th Class. |
