Born in Dublin, c.1830.
Enlisted at Dublin on the 1st of September 1848.
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 6".
Trade: Labourer.
Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H. T. "Wilson Kennedy" on the 2nd of May 1854.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S. S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
From Private to Corporal: 21st of October 1858.
Embarked for England on the 1st of January 1861.
Discharged, "time expired", from Canterbury on the 29th of April 1861.
Served 12 years 238 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 10 months. Conduct: "very good".
In possession of two Good Conduct badges.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India.
Served at Kotah.
Sometime in the mid-1890's, Picture Magazine published a number of photographs under the title of "Surviving Heroes of Balaclava." One of Donovan was included and as the others mentioned were genuinely known survivors there is the strong possibility that he did ride. (See copy of this in the 8th Hussar file. ) He is not known to have ever been a member of the Balaclava Society or ever to have attended any of the veterans' functions.
Lived at 92, Marlborough Street, Dublin.
On the 1st of March 1885 he completed 21 years (total) service after being on the "A" Reserve, (2nd. Class.) He was awarded a pension of 8d. per day, being described as 54 years of age, with a sallow complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. No home address was given at this time.
He went on to the "A" Class Reserve at Dublin on the 28th of October 1878.
Copy of a report from an unknown newspaper (but believed published c.1894) and describing the circumstances in which he was then living:
"A Survivor of The Light Brigade"
"Ex-Trooper Donovan, who fought at Balaclava with the 8th Hussars, is now living at No. 92 Marlborough Street, Dublin, at the advanced age of 64. After paying 2/3d. per week for his lodgings, he has 4/9d. left for food and clothing.
Up to six years ago he added to his pension by porter work, but now he is unfit for labour. His sight has also failed him, and but for the small sum earned by his wife, this survivor of the Light Brigade would be in the workhouse.
He served 21 years in the 8th Hussars, retiring with several good conduct badges and medals for the Crimea. (English and Turkish) with clasps for Inkerman, Balaclava and Sebastopol, together with an Indian Mutiny medal.
Mr Tankerville Chamberlayne, M.P. whose late brother rode back in the famous charge, has promised to interest himself on Donovan's behalf."
[PB: Tankerville Chamberlayne's brother was Cornet Denzil Chamberlayne, 13th Light Dragoons.]
Evidence that he did ride in the Charge would appear to be positive from the evidence he had provided for the defence of Troop Sergeant Major John Lincoln (13th Light Dragoons) at the latter's court-martial after his return from Russian captivity.
In his evidence Lincoln had stated that after losing his horse, he obtained another (claimed by him to have belonged to Captain Nolan) and joined a troop of the 8th Hussars. He called on Private Donovan of the 8th Hussars to certify that he had been with the 8th during part of the Charge.
The report of the proceedings stated — Private Donovan, 8th Hussars, being called into the Court and duly sworn in, he was questioned by the prisoner.
"Did you see me on the 25th of October 1854, dismounted, passed by the 8th Hussars, subsequently joined it, mounted, and advanced with it?"
In reply Donovan said that, "I did see a soldier of the 13th Light Dragoons dismounted and subsequently join the 8th Hussars and to the best of my belief, Sergeant-Major Lincoln was that man."
Extracts from applications he made for financial assistance to the "Wolseley Fund", found in the National Archives in Dublin and forwarded by Mr. Robert Cudmore, a former member of the regiment:
24th July 1894 — On behalf of John Donovan of 92 Marlborough Street, Dublin. Aged 64 years and a R. C. Served 21 years. In the Crimea and Central India. Discharged May 1861. Then described as ex-8th Hussars and 2nd Class Army Reserve.
"I have known John Donovan for over 20 years. He is thoroughly respected, and is at present very ill. I strongly recommend him for assistance from the Wolesley Fund. ". Signed, John White, (I.F.)
The application form is endorsed:
"I visited John Donovan and his wife on several occasions and they are very respectable and deserving people, both now very delicate.
Mrs. Donovan tries to earn a little by working a sewing machine, but insufficient of late to pay the weekly instalment of 2/6 for the machine. , for which about £2/10/0 is still due.
Donovan has worked a few nights at the Theatre at 1/- per night, which quite knocked him up. He is now in bed with bronchitis.
I recommend payment of the balance due for the sewing machine."
Dated 25-7-94 and signed "J. Fielding, Captain". "Granted, £3/0/0."
Further applications made from March of 1895. — It appears that he has 7/- a week pension — Granted £1/0/0/
Application made in May of 895. This was marked "Special. One of the 600. " — Granted £1/0/0.
Application in January of 1896 — Granted 10/-
The last recorded application is that made by his wife, Mrs Margaret Donovan on the 6th of April 1896 in which she stated that her husband had died on the 2nd of April 1896. — Granted £1/0/0.