Michael DORAN, born c1833 Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland. Parents: William DORAN and Catherine HENRY.
He enlisted in the 12th Regiment (East Suffolk) in England when he was twenty years old on 18 May 1853. He was a Colour Sergeant with Regimental Number 3196. He arrived in Melbourne on 6 Nov 1854 aboard the convict transport ‘Camperdown’ and we believe the regiment was then sent to Ballarat. Part of this regiment fought in the Eureka Stockade, however, Michael was not listed as taking part. He did take part in the Lambing Flat 2nd Riot (1861-1862) and in the 3rd New Zealand War (1863-1867) and was awarded the New Zealand War medal for his participation between 1863 & 1865. He was discharged from service on 10 Sep 1865 but was not entitled to a UK Royal Hospital Pension as he only served twelve years of the twenty one years required. Michael died of typhoid on 10 Jun 1882, aged fifty four. He had been in hospital for four days. A notice for his funeral invited “The friends of Mr John Doran (his son) to attend the funeral of his beloved father, Michael Doran, to move from the Sydney Infirmary to the Necropolis on 12 Jun 1882”. He was buried in the Catholic Section M1, Row C, Plot 178. Further confirmation of Michael’s military service is found on the headstone for his mother in law, Catherine Heapy: “Erected by Colour Sergeant Michael Doran of the 12th Reg’t, to the memory of Catherine Heappy who died 4th May 1862”.
He married Isabella/Elizabeth Heapy (Heappie) on 7 Jul 1858 at St Mary’s Cathedral (Catholic) in Sydney when she was sixteen years old and he was twenty five. She was a servant and he was a soldier. Witnesses to the marriage were Bridget Meehan and John O’Meara. Isabella/Elizabeth died on 30 Aug 1897 at Parramatta and was buried in the Catholic Section of the Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney. A death notice was inserted in the Sydney Morning Herald on 27 September, nearly a month later, by her daughters, Mary WARREN and Kate (Catherine) JOSEPH.
They had six children: William 1860-1860, John 1861-1927, Elizabeth 1863-1864, Mary A. 1867-1940?, Catherine 1873-1941, Michael Joseph 1876-?.
[Source documents have been cited for marriage, death, military service]
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1833 | |
| Date of Death | 10th Jun 1882 | |
