Daniel Donovan

 Stoker Daniel Donovan – H.M.S. Edgar

Early Life

Daniel Donovan

Daniel Donovan was born in 1878, the youngest son of Irish-born Jeremiah Donovan and Sarah Ann Davies, who had married in 1875.

1881 Census 

At the time of the 1881 Census, the family were living at 14 Anne Street, Swansea. Jeremiah, aged 49, was employed as a Marine Dealer, while Sarah Ann was 30. Their children were Jeremiah, 20, also working as a Marine Dealer, Daniel, 5, and Margaret, 2. Also in the household was Owen Golicher, 75, also listed as a Marine Dealer.

1891 Census 

In 1886, Jeremiah senior died, leaving Sarah a widow. By the 1891 Census, Sarah, now 46, was still living at 14 Anne Street. Her children were Daniel, 14, employed as a General Labourer; Margaret, 11; William, 9; Anorah, 7; and Sarah A., 5, all still at school.

Marriage and Family

1901 Census

In 1897, Daniel married Ellen Blake. By the 1901 Census, Daniel and Ellen were living at her parents’ home, 10 Anne Street. Charles Blake, 67, was an invalid, while his wife, Ellen, was 57. Their daughters, Ellen, 26, and Mary, 15, were also at home. Daniel, then 24, was employed as a General Labourer, and his children, Jeremiah, 3, and Ellen, 1, were listed.

Goal Records

Despite her marriage, Ellen was still recorded under her maiden name of Blake. Also living in the household were three of Charles Blake’s grandchildren: George Bregnan, 10; John Bregnan, 12; and Mary E. Bregnan, 10. Around this time, Daniel also spent 10 days in prison for being “drunk and disorderly,” as recorded in the Gaol Records.

1911 Census 

Charles Blake died in 1903. By the 1911 Census, Daniel and Ellen were living with Ellen’s widowed mother at 34 Charles Street. Ellen, now 67, kept the household with her daughter, also named Ellen Donovan, 30. Daniel, 33, was listed as a Labourer. Their children were Jeremiah, 13; Ellen, 11; Sarah, 8; Charlie, 3; and Willie, 1. Also in the home were Ellen’s older grandsons, John Bresnan, 23, a Carter, and George Bresnan, 24, a Labourer.

Naval Service – H.M.S. Edgar

H.M.S. Edgar

Daniel later enlisted as a Stoker with the Royal Navy, serving aboard H.M.S. Edgar, a first-class cruiser. Alongside her sister ships — Endymion, Grafton, and Theseus — Edgar took part in the Gallipoli Campaign, bombarding shore positions and supporting Allied landings. It was during this campaign that Daniel also saw active service.

Death and Burial

Daniel Donovan died on 10^th June 1917 at a hospital in Bristol. The South Wales Daily Post reported his death the following day, and the Herald of Wales later carried a fuller account of his funeral.

Herald of Wales

South Wales Daily Post

His body was brought back to Swansea and laid to rest at Danygraig Cemetery, where an impressive funeral was held. The cortege was attended by family, naval comrades, and neighbours from the St. Thomas community, reflecting both personal grief and public respect. Daniel’s coffin, draped in the Union Jack, was borne by fellow sailors, accompanied by a firing party.

Daniel Donovan
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

At the graveside, the service was conducted with solemn dignity. The mourners stood in silence as the “Last Post” was sounded, marking the end of his service and his life. Floral tributes surrounded his grave, sent not only by his family but also by comrades and friends from across Swansea.

The Herald of Wales described the occasion as an “impressive military burial”, one of many during the war years when the people of Swansea gathered at Danygraig to honour their fallen. Daniel’s grave today stands as a reminder of the contribution of naval stokers, whose work deep in the bowels of ships was vital to the war effort, yet often overlooked.

Legacy

Daniel’s story reflects the diverse experiences of Swansea men during the First World War. From his early years in the crowded streets of St. Thomas to his service aboard a cruiser at Gallipoli, and finally to his burial at Danygraig, his life connects the local with the global. His sacrifice, honoured by his community, remains part of the wider narrative of Swansea’s contribution to the war.