Research Notes
Derbyshire Advertiser dated 13 February 1915:
CRICH MAN KILLED
News was received on Thursday
of last week that Private John Donaldson of Crich, had been killed in action, his father, Mr James Donaldson, who is inspector over the Derwent Valley Water Board's property, being notified by the War Office of his son's death. Private Donaldson, who was 20 years of age, enlisted nearly a year ago in the 2nd Batallion Scots Guards, a regiment which has seen much fighting during the war. Private Donaldon fell on December 18th. Prior to joining the Army, he was employed on Derwent Valley Water Board's Works at Crich, and he was extemely popular both at Crich and Belper, having lived at the latter place for several years before removing to Crich, and his death is greatly regretted throughout the district.
Source: cwgc
| Name | DONALDSON, John | Initials | J |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Rank | Private |
| Regiment/Service | Scots Guards |
| Unit | 2nd Bn |
| Date of Death | 18/12/1914 |
| Age | 20 |
| Service Number | 8912 |
| Additional information | Son of James Donaldson, of Ambergate Reservoir, Crich, Matlock |
| Casualty type | Commonwealth War Dead |
| Grave/Memorial Reference | Panel 1 |
| Cemetery | PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL |
1901 Census: Hereford
| Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
| James | Donaldson | Head | 47 | Pipe layer navvy | Kingsbarns |
| Margaret | wife | 28 | Airdrie | ||
| John | son | 6 | Milingaire | ||
| Alexander | son | 3 | Knighton, Radnor | ||
| James | son | 1 | Knighton, Radnor | ||
| Alexander | Donaldson | brother | 27 | Pipe layer navvy | Crawness |
| Emily | Williams | servant | 18 | Housemaid | Knighton, Radnor |
| David | Donaldson | brother | 23 | Pipe layer navvy | Heref. |
1911 Census: Bargate Road, Belper
| Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
| James | Donaldson | Head | 47 | Public Works Inspector, Water Board | Kingsbarns, Fife |
| Margaret | wife | 33 | Lennoxtown, Stirling | ||
| John | son | 16 | Dumbarton | ||
| Alexander | son | 13 | Knighton, Radnor | ||
| James | son | 11 | Knighton, Radnor | ||
| Maggie | daughter | 7 | Lennoxtown, Stirling |
John Donaldson's brother Alex Donaldson is also on the Roll of Honour.