Private Edward Donnelly was the some of John and
Isabella Donnelly of Milton. He attested to the 20th Infantry
Battalion (2nd Division, 4th Infantry Brigade) on November 29,
1914.
Private Donnelly's service records state that he died of
multiple gunshot wounds to his side and head on September 18,
1916 at #3 Casualty Clearing Station. #6 and #3 Canadian Field
Ambulance records show he was wounded September 17, 1916.
At the time of his death the 20th Battalion was attacking near
the "Sugar Factory" south west of Courcelette, France.
Fellow Milton Soldier Dockray of the
21st Bn was killed at the same time. For both Donnelly and
Dockray, see comparable War Diary pages in this list: 1,
2, 3,
4.
Example War Diary, September 15, 1916
The summer and fall of 1916 were the "Battles of the
Somme" as reported in Nicholson
Chapter VI. The action from September 15th to 20th was
at Courcelette, moving towards the Sugar Factory (see
Map 6) or better yet Google
Earth.
