Ralph Donnelly’s name is listed on an index card at the Massachusetts National Guard Museum.
Courtesy of the Mass National Guard Museum.
Ralph Donnelly’s name is listed in a report of the Gold Star Record of Massachusetts. (Courtesy Mass National Guard Archives)
There are more than 200 hundred public squares in Worcester, Massachusetts honoring fallen heroes of the City of Worcester. Though there are several memorials in the City honoring Ralph Donnelly, there is no public square honoring his memory. Possibly for the reason that there are other memorials with Ralph’s name listed, his family did not push to have a square named for him.
Ralph’s name is listed on a plaque honoring the Worcester Emmet Guard of World War I. It is located on the staircase landing between the first and second floor of Worcester’s City Hall. The names are listed in order of rank and appear to be the rank of the corpsman when he left the United States for Europe aboard the SS-H.S Mallory.
Worcester City Hall plaque honoring the Emmet brigade. Ralph Donnelly is listed as a sergeant.
There is a plaque in the front entrance to Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Worcester honoring its parishioners who lost their lives in World War I. It is arranged in alphabetical order with no rank indicated. The Donnelly family became members of St. Paul’s when they moved to Sever Street in the Elm Park section of Worcester.
In Saint John’s Cemetery in Worcester, there is a memorial to the fallen heroes of the Worcester Emmet Guards in World War I. It is located in Section St. Thomas not far from the entrance to the cemetery. Both the Foley and Donnelly family plots are nearby. The names are listed by which the battle at which they lost lives and Ralph was the only member to die at St. Mihiel:
At Green Hill Park in Worcester, 129 maple trees were planted to honor Worcester’s fallen heroes. Originally, each tree had a small bronze plaque with the name of the fallen hero, but the plaques were stolen. There is an entrance gate to the area and the trees are located over the crest of the hill.
Ralph Donnelly is buried with his family in the Donnelly family plot at St. John’s cemetery in Worcester. Here is the link to the grave:http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=105016186&PIpi=75109820
Soon after his death, Ralph Donnelly was buried at a cemetery in France. His family arranged for his body to be returned home and three years after his death, he was given a hero’s funeral. All three Worcester newspapers gave coverage of the funeral.
Worcester Gazette, Monday, August 14, 1921, Page 14, part 1
Gazette article, part 2.
Worcester Post, Monday, August 8, 1921, page 3
Worcester Telegram, Monday, August 8, 1921, page 1, part 1
Telegram, page 1, part 2
Telegram, Page 1, part 3
Worcester Telegram, Page 2, part l
Telegram, Page 2, part 2
After word came back to Worcester of Ralph Donnelly’s death, several tributes to his memory appeared in the local newspapers. These articles were collected by the family of Thomas Foley and remain in their possession. The clippings did not indicate the date of the article or which newspaper in which the article appeared.
Newspaper article praising Ralph Donnelly’s bravery. (Foley family collections)
Newspaper article providing details of Ralph Donnelly’s death. (Foley family collections)
Tribute to Ralph Donnelly by one of his comrades. (Foley family collections)
Newspaper article covering eulogy to Ralph Donnelly by a Worcester priest. (Foley family collections)
Newspaper article mentioning that Ralph Donnelly was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. (Foley family collections)
Newspaper article that Ralph Donnelly was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. (Foley family collections
A month after word came back to Worcester of his passing, one of Ralph Donnelly’s comrades wrote Margaret Murray, who was at least his girlfriend and possibly his fiancee. The letter is in the possession of his family. Here is a transcription of the letter followed by the actual pages of the letter:
Envelope cover
Capt. L. M. Prouse OFFICIAL
Cott-101st Inf MAIL
Amer E. F
Miss Margaret A. Murray
#15 Trumbull Street
Worcester, Mass
USA
OK
L.M. Prouse
Capt
USA
(Page 1)
Cott-101st Inf
Millieres-Haute Maune
27 Nov. 1918
My dear Miss Murray:-
Your letter of Oct. 21st, addressed to Pvt. Joseph Daniels, came to this company a couple of days since. After gathering what information I could that would b of interest to you, I determined to get it to you without delay.
Of course, there is much that requires explanation. Pvt. Daniels was never
In H Co; he was always a member of G Co. and was orderly to Lt. Donnelly when the latter was first commissioned. While the Lt. was at school in March, I came to G Co; Daniels was then my orderly. He was wounded at Truguy Woods, July 24th (?) and sent to the hospital at that (Page 2) time. He has since been S.O.S. Knowing as I do, practically the information you desire I am very glad to be able to give it to you.
1st – As to Capt. Jonait. He was a Lt. when he relived Lt. Donnelly at Flirey. I believe the Regument to have been the 416th. Beyond that I cannot give any definite information; too may of those are now gone who were associated with us beck in June. You appreciate what changes a few months can make in a combatants Regt., particularly at Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel + Vernun.
I shall seek further to locate the outfit (Page 3) that relieved us in Flivey; if I gather anything more definite I shall send it to you,
As to Lt. Donnelly’s death— I shall come to that after a little preface. He was a Man. More than that one cannot say. I first met him last April when he returned to G Co from school at Gon dre’court; I always liked him: Shortly after he was transferred to H Co because of a scarcity of officers in that outfit. I was associated with him intimately at Flivey, Sercheprey + Beriecourt in the Tone sector; later we moved up near Chateau-Thierry and went over the top together in the 2nd Battle of the Marne. (Page 4) In Trigny Woods, July 24th, we fought side by side when our Battalion was enmeshed in a nest of many machine guns + snipers. Ralph was, as always, absolutely fearless and a wonderfully inspiring example to both officers and men. I cannot speak too highly of his physical courage.
After relief from the Big Push on July 26th we moved back to Carmonst Farm, near La Ferte’ sans Janarre where we remained in training for a little more than a week. It was that that Ralph had charge of a complete Co. of replacements and did such a wonderful job. We were (Page 5) located there when the letter + pictures arrived from Capt Jonait, recently promoted.
Shortly after we went back to Antricourt, near Essayrs, where we trained further for the St Mihiel drive, Ralph had H company. Then came the long, tedious, night movements up to the Drive. On the morning of Sept 12th at Goilwik, after 7 hours of heavy bombardments, we went over the top—Ralph led H, I was with G. The preliminary opposition in the Boche 2nd lines was, as usual, centered around pill boxes of machine guns +snipers. At about 9:30 that morning, H Co was held up by machine gun fire. Bullets were coming thick and fast where Ralph was when he exposed himself to caution + save others. As to arose and cried: (Page 6) “Duck! Get down!”, he backed up suddenly and shouted- “OK, My God!
Severe machine gun bullets had cought him in the chest; has lung was pierced. Every effort was exerted and he was carried back at once on a stretcher; by a sergeant + 3 Boche prisoners, a small escort went with him. On the way back he entrusted to a stretcher bearer his small red note book containing your picture, his brothers, and an American Flag + some personal writing. One of his sergeants sought for the book later; I do not know with what success.
He was taken to Evacuation Hospital #6 and operated on immediately. He remarked when brought in “I won’t live through it- I’m going fast. Tell them I died game!” (Page 7) At 4:20 the morning of Sept 13th he died.
Anything further must be eulogy. Ralph was a man of a whole heart whom it was a privilege to know and work with. The officers admired and the men idolized him. What more can a soldier desire. He died as he had live – at his post. And when one looks at life about him he realizes just how rare such characters are. He was one of the shining light of a brilliant regiment – he will not (Page 8) soon be forgotten. You have my heartfelt sympathy in your loss. It is an acute one.
Ralph was buried from Evacuation Hospital # 7, near Souilly, france. It is located almost n a line betwenn Verdun + St. Mihie.
Anyfurther information I gather I shall be eager to send you.
Ralph’s Captaincy Cordially Yours
Came the day he Lyle M. Prouse
Was shot. Capt 101st Inf Co H
P– Cindg
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Envelope
John E. Donnelly was born in Liverpool, England and came to the United States through the port of New York on May 10, 1870. There is a reference that he came with his family which included his father Thomas, brother Patrick, and others. The documents states that his age was 22.
John settled in Clinton, Massachusetts after his arrival in the U.S and became a U. S. citizen in 1875
John Corcoran, the brother of his future wife, signed the document.
He married Mary Ellen Corcoran, who according to family lore, was a cousin through her mother’s side also named Donnelly. The date of the marriage is listed as January 6, 1881. The document states his age as 26 and his wife’s age as 24.
His parents are listed as Thomas and Winifred and his place of birth as Liverpool, England.
His first child James Corcoran Donnelly was born in Clinton, but the family moved to Worcester soon after James’ birth. John worked at a loom works in Worcester and the family lived in tenements on St. Ann’s Hill. James was a pipe smoker and died of cancer of the mouth on January 10, 1917 at age 61.
Death Certificate
His passing was covered in all three local newspaper. Oddly, his place of birth and parents’ names are incorrect and it is likely that that his children knew little about him. His children rarely discussed their father which leads to the speculation that he was an alcoholic.
Worcester Telegram, January 10, 1917.
Worcester Post, January 10, 1917
Worcester Post, January 10, 1917.
All three of the Worcester newspapers devoted large articles on the passing of Ralph Donnelly. All three of the articles appears on Saturday, October 19, 1918 more than a month after he had died and a little more than a week after the first reports appeared in Worcester that he was wounded. The reports of his wounding were based on a letter Thomas Foley had sent to his wife. The notices of the death were based on the official notice that his brother James C. Donnelly received.
The Daily Telegram, Saturday, October 19, 1918, Page 1.
The Worcester Gazette published the article on his death on the same day with a picture of Ralph that must have been furnished by the family. It was one that was taken of him in France and sent back to his siblings.
Gazette, Page 14
Worcester Gazette, Saturday, October 19, 1918, Page 1.
The Worcester Post article was the most familiar in its account. His local nickname “Ras” was used in the headline and used sports terms to inform its readers about his leadership. The photograph taken must have one that was taken before he went overseas.
Ralph Donnelly played for the Georgetown football team beginning in the fall of 1912. He quickly became a star and was featured in the school’s publications.
Ralph Donnelly is in the top row, one in from the right. (Smithsonian collections)
Donnelly was mentioned as one of the stars of the team. Below is a page from the program of the game versus the University of Virginia on November 15, 1913. His nickname at Georgetown was Tad. In Worcester, his nickname was Ras, which stayed with him into the armed forces.
Donnelly is in the middle of the bottom row. (Courtesy of the Georgetown University Special Archives)
The local newspapers also indicated that he was one of the stars of the team.
Donnelly is the third figure in from the left. This is the sports section of the Washington Times, November 9, 1913.
It was said that Jim Thorpe, the greatest football player of the era found him to be his toughest opponent. Ralph played end and Thorpe, a running back, described him as being very difficult to run around.
Here they are in the Georgetown versus Carlisle game. Donnelly was listed as number 29 and is somewhere in this pile. The head coach of Carlisle was Glenn Scobey “Pop” Warner.
Smithsonian collections
Though the eulogies at his passing indicated that Donnelly attended Georgetown for four years, the records indicate a shorter stay at the college and law school.
Donnelly is listed on this page. (Courtesy of the Georgetown University Special collections)
Here is the alumni card for Ralph Donnelly. His name is also listed in a memorial hall at Georgetown.
The newspaper article describes Donnelly playing for three years at Georgetown. (Courtesy of the Georgetown University Special Archives)
Head shot of Ralph Donnelly used in the articles on his death.
Ralph Donnelly had his photograph taken after his arrival in France. The photograph is not dated, but it appears that he had not seen any heavy action in battle. It is possible that he had not yet been promoted promoted to an officer at this point. Significantly, the head shot of Donnelly was used in the newspaper articles of his passing, so it is likely his family furnished it to the media.
Ralph E. Donnelly on left. (From the collection of Mary V. C. Callahan)
Ralph wrote a notation on the back of the photograph and his light references make it seem that he had not seen action yet:
Ralph’s note at the top and the notation at the bottom was written by his niece Mary V. C. Callahan.
The first reports that Ralph Donnelly had been wounded appeared on Tuesday, October 8, 1918 nearly a month after he had died of his wounds. The source was from the contents of a letter that Major Thomas Foley wrote to his wife at the family home on Lovell Street near Worcester’s Park Ave.
Worcester Post, October 8, 1918, page 1
From the Foley family archives. It must be assumed to be the Worcester Telegram notice of the wounding.
A longer version appeared in the Worcester Gazette on the same date:
First part of the Gazette article
Latter part of the Gazette article
Donnelly Family History 