289 Colour Sergeant
DAVID DONOGHUE
Army Post Office Corps
David Donoghue enlisted as a Private (Regimental No. 3969) in "F" Company, 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Post Office Rifles) on the 24th of January 1889. His age on enlistment was 19 years and 10 months (date of birth about March 1869). His home address at the time of his enlistment was 1 Netley Street, Sherland Road, London W. In civilian life he was a sorter in the WDO London Post Office.
During the time between his enlistment and the outbreak of the South African War of 1899-1902, the Army Post Office Corps was formed from men of the 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers. Donoghue was one of the first party of the Army Post Office Corps to be sent to South Africa in October of 1899. He went to South Africa as a Private and within less than a year was promoted to Colour Sergeant. He was appointed as the non-commissioned officer in charge of Field Post Office No. 77 at Howick in November of 1899.
Unfortunately, Colour Sergeant Donoghue died on enteric fever while serving in South Africa. His death occurred at Standerton on the 20th of December 1901. For his service during the war he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps [CAPE COLONY][TUGELA HEIGHTS][ORANGE FREE STATE][RELIEF OF LADYSMITH] [TRANSVAAL] and [SOUTH AFRICA 1901]. His name is also commemorated on a plaque that was originally placed in the Garden of Remembrance at the London General Post Office. In 1988 this plaque was located in the basement of the Post Office building.
REFERENCES:
1. South Africa Casualty Roll.
2. Queen's South Africa Medal Roll dated Capetown, 9 July 1901.
3. Queen's South Africa Medal Roll dated London, 9 March 1901.