Sep 14, 1894

Born in Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton to Timothy and Mary (nee McDonald) Donovan

Nov 23, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at Sydney, Cape Breton

Feb 22, 1918

Conscripted into 1^st Depot Battalion, NSR (Nova Scotia Regiment) under the MSA in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ø  Number 3180543

Ø  Next of kin given as Rachael Donovan, wife, Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton

Ø  Previous occupation given as Fisherman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the 5^th Regimental Draft

Apr 17, 1918

The 5^th and part of the 6^th Regimental Drafts embarked the SS Scotian in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 28, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and transferred to the 17^th Reserve Battalion.  The men were attached to the Segregation Camp at Frensham Pond to ensure there were no cases of Influenza

Jun 6, 1918

Released from the segregation camp and reported to the 17^th Reserve Battalion in Bramshott

Sep 19, 1918

Transferred to the 85^th Battalion

Sep 21, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 85^th Battalion

Sep 25, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Sep 30, 1918

While still at the reinforcement camp, and before he could join the 85^th Battalion at the front, he was transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 3, 1918

After leaving the base depot, Private Donovan joined the 21^st Battalion south – west of Bourlon, France as part of a draft of 156 reinforcements and was posted to “A” Company

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Siegburg

Jan 22, 1919

Proceeded on Escort Duty

Jan 24, 1919

Rejoined the battalion in Aisemont, Belgium from escort duty

Mar 14, 1919

Proceeded to England and transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) in Seaford pending return to Canada for police duty

Mar 17, 1919

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Apr 23, 1919

Transferred to the NBRD (New Brunswick Regimental Depot) in Ripon

May 6, 1919

Embarked the SS Scotian in Liverpool

May 15, 1919

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 6

May 16, 1919

Transferred to the CMPC (Canadian Military Police Corps) Base Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

Jul 7, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ø  Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton

Jun 6, 1971

Herbert Augustine Donovan died in Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia