Anne Donnell

Letters Of An Australian Army Sister

Now & Then

Picture Courtesy – https://www.flickr.com/photos/thrutheselines/

Playwright Cheryl Ward has released a set of striking “then and now” photos that highlight the stories of the Australian nurses and soldiers stationed on the Greek island of Lemnos during World War I. Visit here

Anne Donnell was born on the 31^st October 1875 in the foothills south of Adelaide at Cherry Gardens - the birthplace of one of the best this country ever had to offer. Her parents, William Donnell (1830-1881) and Fanny Jacobs (1846-1888), daughter of Isaac Jacobs, were married by Rev Mr Spence on 28th December, 1870. Anne grew up in Cherry Gardens, South Australia, one of five children of this marriage: Issac jnr (1871-1918), Elizabeth (1873-1934), Anne (1875-1956), Mary (1878-1948) and Henry (1881-1925). The death of William left Fanny with a young family which included 10-month-old Henry. Fanny died seven years later in 1888 after a lingering illness, so the children were orphans by the time the oldest was eighteen. Anne never married, but after returning from her war service, in 1936 she did adopt a baby girl who she loved very much.

Parents:

Fanny Jacobs 1846 – 1888

William Donnell 1830 – 1881

Siblings:

Isacc 1871 – 1918

Elizabeth 1873 – 1934

Anne 1875 – 1956

Mary 1878 – 1948

Henry 1881 – 1925

Fanny Jacobs

William Donnell