LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive

Added 3.12.2012. Some edits 25.1.14, 20.5.15.

IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION

1088, Private Bernard DONOGHUE — 8th Hussars

Also recorded as "Donaghue", "Dunaghue", "Donohoe".

Birth & early life

Born at Manchester, c. 1824, the son of No. 123 Private Bernard Donoghue of the 5th Dragoon Guards.

123 Private Bernard Donoghue, 5th Dragoon Guards [father]

Bernard Donoghue was born at Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland c.1793.

On the 13th of August 1816, at the age of 19, he had enlisted "for Life" into the 5th Dragoon Guards at Dublin. His physical description was given as 5' 9" in height, fresh complexion, brown hair, brown eyes and a Tailor by trade.

He was discharged from Dublin, still in the rank of Private, on the 30th of December 1841, with a total service of 25 years 79 days.

A medical report, dated 23rd of November 1841, stated that:

"Private Bernard Donoghue was this day recommended by a Medical Board of which I was the President, and found unfit for further service, from Chronic Rheumatism and general debility.

[Signed] Anthony Purdie, M.D., PMO.

His conduct and character was rated as "Very good".

He had an elder brother in the regiment, 1064 James Donoghue, 8th Hussars.

It is possible that there was another brother in the regiment. See James Donoghue's record.

Enlistment

Enlisted into the 57th Foot at Enniskillen on the 27th of November 1848. Regimental No. 2226.

Age: 14 years 1 month.

Height: 4' 9".

Trade: None.

He attained the age of 15 years and on to "Man's pay" from the 26th of October 1849.

Appearance: Fresh complexion. Blue eyes. Lt. brown hair.

Service

He transferred to the 8th Hussars on the 10th of April 1849, per Adjutant General's Office Order, dated the 1st of April 1849.

The transfer, "to serve with his elder brother", was requested of the 57th Foot on the 4th April:

[To: Officer Commanding, 57th Foot, Enniskillen. ]

"Horse Guards,

4th April 1849,

Sir, — By the direction of the Commander-in-Chief I have the honour to submit to you the enclosed application from Bernard Dunaghue [sic] — Pensioner of the 5th Dragoon Guards, for the transfer of his son, Bernard Dunaghue [sic] into the 8th Hussars from the Regiment under your command to enable the man to serve with his elder brother and I am to request if there is no Regimental objection to this measure you will be pleased to transmit a Description Return of the Soldier in question to the Officer Commanding the 8th Hussars with a view to the transfer being submitted to His Grace in due course.

I have the honour to be, etc. , etc.

John MacDonald,

Asst. Secretary.

Preston Barracks (Brighton) c.1850.

[Source: Roy Grant. For further information see here (accessed 20.4.15).]

(Click on image to enlarge)

1851 Census

Cavalry Barracks, Preston, Sussex [near Brighton].

Bernard Donaghue [sic], 16, Private Soldier, born Manchester, Lancashire.

His brother James, 21, is also listed.

[PB]

From Private to Trumpeter: 11th of April 1853.

Reverted to Private, "at his own request", on the 14th of April 1854.

Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H. T. "Medora" on the 25th of April 1854.

Re-appointed to Trumpeter on the 11th of December 1854.

Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S. S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.

Served at Kotah and Gwalior.

Again reverted to Private on the 17th of January 1863.

Re-engaged for 12 years' further service at Brighton on the 30th of May 1864.

Tried by a Regimental Court-martial and imprisoned from the 27th of September until the 7th of November 1865.

From Private to Trumpeter: 25th of February 1868.

Reverted to Private, "at his own request", on the 21st of September 1870.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Dublin on the 6th of January 1871:

"Found unfit for further service from chronic conjunctivitis and rheumatism.

The former is the result of frequent attacks of opthalma [ophthalmia?] from which he has suffered since 1861. The disease was originally caused by exposure to the Indian sun.

At this time there is considerable opacity of the right eye and his vision is much impaired. Able to contribute but little to his own support."

Served 18 years 293 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 2 years

In India: 6 years 5 months.

Aged 33 years on discharge.

Conduct: "indifferent — but latterly good. Is addicted to drink".

Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.

Fifty-seven times entered in the Regimental Defaulters book. Once tried by Court-martial.

[PB: EJB wrote "There is no indication on his documents that he ever reached the rank of Sergeant, although he is shown as such on the Mutiny medal roll", but his WO97 discharge papers do show him as a sergeant.]

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.

Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India.

Documents confirm the award on the Crimean medal with four clasps, Turkish Medal and the Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India.

He is named as Donaghue in Asplin's "Mutiny Medal Roll".

To live at No. 56, Axford Street, Warrington, Lancashire,

Awarded a pension of 7d per day from the 7th of July 1871. Pension letters to the 31st of January 1872.

Commemorations

Life after service/h3>

Admitted to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, on the 1st of March 1872.

The Admission records for In-Pensioners to the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, although showing much of what is already known of his service, show that at the time (January 1872) he was 35 years of age [sic]. He had no family, had previously lived at 7, Diggs St (Off St. Stephen's Green), Dublin, and was "Able to contribute to his own support to a slight extent".

His awarded medals were not in his possession, and the Pension Officer's opinion of his character was "Good, as far as is known."

Death & burial

Died in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, on the 2nd of June 1874.

His death certificate names him as "Donohoe", the cause of death being "Bronchitis, some months". He was 40 years of age, and a bachelor. (There is a copy of his death certificate in the "Certificates" file. )

He was buried in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham Cemetery (Bully's Acre section) in Grave No. 137 on the 4th of June 1874 at the age of 40. He was again named as "Donohoe" at this time.

No headstone was erected and although his grave-site probably originally had a numbered cast iron "marker" these have now all been removed for easier ground maintenance.

His name is recorded on the brass tablets erected in the Chapel to ex-Hospital inmates.