Joined the army as a drummer boy at 14 years of age. Fought at Neuve Chapelle and Armentieres.

Teesdale Mercury, 27.12.1916:

Pitiable Case of a Barnard Castle Soldier

James Donohue, who joined the army as a drummer boy of 14 years of age, and who has been in the fighting in Neuve Chapelle and Armentieres, now finds himself in the Wigton (Cumberland) workhouse with his pension of Sd. a day stopped. His wife and three young children would have starved but for the charity of friends. These statements were made at a meeting of the Wigton Board of Guardians.

Donohue, native of Barnard Castle, who was educated at the Roman Catholic Day School in this town, and is well known here, was discharged from the Border Regiment stated to be suffering from trench consumption.

The Relieving Officer told the meeting that one of Donohue’s brothers was killed at Loos, another was badly wounded and discharged, a third had lost a leg in action, and a fourth was still serving in France.

Mr Strong, a member of the Board, said it was a slur on the State that a man with such a splendid record should have to seek the aid of the Poor Law.

The Clerk was instructed to communicate with the War Office, and meanwhile the man’s family are being maintained out of the war funds.