Donaghy, John

The death is recorded in the Hunterville Express of Mr. John Donaghy, a Crimean veteran, well known throughout the Rangitikei district. He was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1824, joined the 47th Lancashire Regiment in 1844, and went through the whole of the Crimean War, receiving the medal with three clasps for Alma, Inkerman, and Sebastopol. He also got the Turkish medal.

At Inkerman Mr. Donaghy was severely wounded by a sword cut in the head, but he killed his Russian adversary by a bayonet thrust through the neck. Just before the Waikato War Mr. Donaghy joined the 18th Royal Irish, and came out to New Zealand with the forces under General Cameron. He served in the Waikato and other districts during the war, and obtained the medal. When the Imperial forces were withdrawn from the colony, Mr. Donaghy took his discharge, after having seen 22 years' service, and since then has been a resident most of the time in the Wanganui and Rangitikei districts. Up to the last the old man took an interest in military matters. He had a profound belief in the invincibility of the British army.

Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 83, 4 October 1901, Page 4