Michael Donnelly

Service Number: Clyde Z/5724

Rank: Able Seaman

Force: Royal Navy

Date of Death: 31/5/1916

Age: 19

Date of Birth: 1/1/1897

Birthplace:

Coatbridge

Birth Country: Scotland

Residence Country: Scotland

Residence:

11 Burnbank Crescent, Coatbridge.

Cemetery: Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire

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Memorial Statistics

Age at Death

Memorial avg: 26.3 years (-7.3)

Rank

Able Seaman

17 on memorial (3.1%)

Occupation

Iron/Steel Worker

241 on memorial (43.6%)

Enlistment Details

Date of Enlistment

9/6/1914

Enlistment Location

Location: Coatbridge with the Highland Light Infantry (7977)

Country: Scotland

Family Information

Son of Matthew and Ellen Fagan Donnelly of 11 Burnbank Crescent, Coatbridge. They were married on the 29/11/1885. Michael had a younger brother named Arthur and a sister named Mary. After Michael's fathers death his mother married Frank Wilkie in 1902 and several Wilkie children were added to the family. Brother Arthur married Elizabeth McDonald in 1912 but was widowed within a year. He joined the Highland Light Infantry just as his brother Michael was discharged from the Regiment. Michael's Pension was awarded to his mother Ellen on the 05/10/1916 and the 10/07/1917.

Details of Death

Killed in Action on the 31/05/1916 when H.M.S. "Invincible" was sunk

Date of Death: 31/5/1916

Location:

action on the 31/05/1916 when h

Cause of Death: Killed in Action

Employment

Ellis Iron Works.

Occupation: Iron/Steel Worker

Additional Information

Michael enlisted in the Highland Light Infantry (7977) in 1914 before the outbreak of war but was discharged as unfit in December 1914 (see Service Records). Shortly afterwards he joined the Navy and was posted to the battle cruiser "Invincible", the worlds first dreadnought and Naval flagship. At the Battle of Jutland it was hit by a German shell which pierced the gun turret and ignited the magazine below. The ship split in half and sank in 90 seconds killing all but 6 of her 1031 crew including the Vice-Admiral commanding her. Michael was well known in junior football circles. He is also remembered on the St Patrick's Church Roll of Honour. Many thanks to my friend Dom who took a photo (1) of Michael's name on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. See photos for Michael's Naval Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial Panel List, his name on the Portsmouth Memorial (2), his Service Records (HLI) x 6, Michael's Pension Records x 2, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Cap Badge. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 3 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 1 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1).

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Quick Stats

Age: 19

Memorial avg: 26.3 (-7.3)

Rank: Able Seaman

17 of 553 soldiers (3.1%)

Occupation: Iron/Steel Worker

241 of 530 soldiers (45.5%)

War Diaries

No war diary images found for this soldier.

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CWGC Records National Archives British War Graves Long, Long Trail Ancestry Records

Cemetery

Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire

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