South Staffordshire War Memorials

Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the South Staffordshire area who died during the two World Wars.

E J Donlan

The name is variously spelled Donlan, Doulon and Donlon. The family appear to have preferred the latter.

The Donlon family appear to have settled in Brewood in about 1881 when 20 year-old James Donlon, a labourer, was boarding in Creswell Lane. By 1891 Thomas Donlon, 42, was living in Stafford Street with his wife Fanny (born in Brewood) and four children. In 1901 the family were still living in Stafford Street but by 1911 they had moved to Horsebrook Lane.

Ernest Louis Donlon was born in Brewood in 1895. He was the son of Thomas and Fanny. In 1911, aged 15, he was working as an errand boy. He probably joined the Staffordshire Regiment as a regular soldier soon after because he was sent to France with the 2nd Battalion of that regiment a few days after the outbreak of war.

The lack of any record of the award of a clasp to Ernest's 1914 Star suggest that he may not have seen action immediately. Ernest was killed in action on 17th May, 1915; the surviving records disagree as to whether he was serving with the 1st or 2nd Battalion at the time, but both units were involved in the Battle of Festubert at the time of his death.

Private Ernest Louis Donlon, 9290, was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 1914 Star. He is also commemorated on the memorial in St Mary's Catholic Church, Brewood.

This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg.