Cleric, educator.
Born at Qu’Appelle, Northwest Territories [now Saskatchewan] on 18 September 1887, son of Alexander James Donogh (1852-1928, later remarried to Elizabeth Ann Donogh (1860-1915)) and Eliza Hill (1855-1902), the family moved to Manitoba by the turn of the century and settled in the Brandon area. He graduated from Brandon College (BA 1915) and was enrolled in theology classes at the time of his April 1916 military service enlistment.
During the First World War, he rose to the rank of Lance Corporal with the No. 11 Field Ambulance of the Canadian Army Medical Corps and was wounded during duty on the battlefields of France. Following his military discharge in July 1919, he returned home and graduated from Brandon College (MA 1921). He taught around Manitoba, including at Rattray School (1921), Ladywood School (1923-1924, Principal), Brandon School District (1929-1930), and Earl Haig School (1930-1931, Principal).
In 1929, he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister and served congregations at Chain Lakes United Church (1931), Ochre River United Church (c1936), Rivers United Church (?-1944), Glenboro United Church (1944-1951), Hartney United Church (1951-1954), Alexander United Church (1954-1962), and St. Paul’s United Church in Brandon (1962-1968) at time of his death.
On 27 July 1920, he married Mabel Ida Ashworth (1893-1969) at Rapid City and they had five children: Oliver Roland Donogh (1921-1944), Norman Ross Donogh, Gordon Wallace “Gord” Donogh (1928-2010), Lorraine Isabel Donogh (1929-1982, wife of James Yates), and Gwendolyn Erina “Gwen” Donogh (wife of Alfred Hewlett).
He died at his Brandon residence, 94 Clement Drive, on 7 November 1968, with burial in the Brandon Cemetery.
Marriage and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.
1901 & 1911 Canada censes, Automated Genealogy.
Attestation papers, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada.
Death notice [Eliza Hill Donogh], Manitoba Free Press, 29 April 1902, page 10.
“Many degrees to be presented at Brandon College convocation including one to Sir J. A. M. Aikins,” Brandon Daily Sun, 19 May 1921, page 1.
“Teaching staff for next term has changes,” Brandon Daily Sun, 11 June 1929, page 1.
“Wedding at Ochre River,” Winnipeg Tribune, 11 December 1936, page 10.
“Dauphin Presbytery elects Rev. J. E. Clark,” Dauphin Herald, 12 May 1938, page 1.
“Bride's father reads service for Hewlett-Donogh wedding,” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 January 1944, page 9.
“Glenboro calls Rev W. R. Donogh,” Winnipeg Free Press, 13 May 1944, page 9.
“Lieut. Roland Donogh died from wounds,” Rivers Gazette, 3 August 1944, page 1.
“Memorial service for Lieut. Roland Donogh,” Rivers Gazette, 10 August 1944, page 5.
“Eight Manitobans are named in Army’s new casualty lists,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 September 1944, page 7.
“Hold farewell for Donoghs,” Brandon Sun, 30 June 1962, page 5.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 8 November 1968, page 28.
“Rev. W. R. Donogh dies at Brandon,” Glenboro Gazette, 14 November 1968, page 3.
Obituary [Mrs. W. R. Donogh], Glenboro Gazette, 6 March 1969, page 3.
Roberts family tree, Ancestry.
We thank Gordon Goldsborough for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 25 February 2022
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