1475585 Private Robert Drummond Donalson was the son of Joseph and Edith Donalson, of Felling on Tyne, Gateshead, Co Durham. He was born in February 1920. Interestingly, Robert's surname varies between different official documents, appearing variously as both Donalson and Donaldson. His birth certificate and some of his official military documentation, give his surname as Donaldson whereas the 1921 census and some of his military documentation gives his surname without the letter 'D', ie Donalson. This apperars to be due to administrative errors rather than any form of malicious act.

In 1921, Robert and his family were living at 26 Windsor Terrace, Felling-on-Tyne.

Robert enlisted into the Royal Artillery on July 18, 1939 and from 18 to 31 October 1943 he was on parachute course No. 73, at Ramat David, Palestine.

During the Battle of Arnhem, fighting as a brave man of the 11th Parachute Battalion, Robert died of his wounds on Friday September 22, 1944, at the age of 24.

Initially buried on the Hemelseberg estate, Oosterbeek, he now lies at rest in the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, grave 19. B. 12.

Robert's sacrific was remembered at home in The Newcastle upon Tyne Evening Chronicle of 11^th October 1944.