Name
Arthur Patrick Donnell
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/12/1916
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Royal Flying Corps
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NARBOROUGH (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
UK & Other Memorials
Beaumont House School Memorial, Heronsgate, nr Rickmansworth
Narborough (All Saints) Churchyard
Stamfordham Parish Church, Northumberland,
Pre War
Arthur was the son of Rev Charles E Donnell, who was Croxley Green’s vicar from 1899 to 1913, and his wife Ada Pauline. Arthur was born in Ovingham, Northumberland, on 29 March 1898 and was christened there on 24 April 1898.
He lived in Croxley Green with the family from 1899 to 1913. He had six siblings including his elder brother Ernest who was also killed in the war.
Rev. Charles Donnell moved to Stamfordham, Northumberland, just before the war so neither Arthur nor his brother Ernest feature on Croxley Green’s war memorials. Nonetheless, Arthur and his family would have been well known to many in the village. Rev Donnell returned to Croxley Green several times during the war and took part in the remembrance services at All Saints’ in 1916 and 1919.
Wartime Service
Arthur joined the Northumberland Fusiliers as a Second Lieutenant in 1916, at the age of 18, and was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps soon afterwards.
He died in a flying accident on 5 December 1916. He is buried at Narborough, Norfolk. Narborough was the site of a First World War airfield whose role was defence against Zeppelin raids.
Additional Information
His brother Ernest Donnell was also killed in the war. He, along with Arthur are on the Stamfordham Parish Church, Northumberland. The famiily moved to Stamfordham, Northumberland, just before the war, so Ernest does not feature on Croxley Green’s war me
Acknowledgments
Brian Thomson Croxley Green in the First World War Rickmansworth Historical Society 2014
