Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Cadoux a lamb’s wool spinning mill manager, born on the 21st July 1843 in Wethersfield, Braintree, Essex (son of John Henry Cadoux, 1806-1882 and Hepzibah Hobson, 1818-1898) and his wife Susan Cadoux, (nee Hull, married on the 16th January 1878 in Wethersfield) born in the January quarter of 1848 in Leicester (daughter of Susan Hobson, 1814). Donald Neville was born on the 27th June 1884 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Barton Seagrave Fritz, born on the 9th August 1886 and Charles Basil, born on the 24th March 1880, both his siblings were born in Countesthorpe, in April 1891 the family home was at Cosby Road, Countesthorpe. In March 1901 Donald was employed as a gas engineer’s apprentice and was residing in the family home at 165, Hinckley Road, Leicester, together with his father, a lamb’s wool spinners agent, his mother and siblings, Barton an apprentice lamb’s wool spinner and Vera Claire, born on the 5th September 1891 in South Wigston, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Donald was absent from the family home at 3, Victoria Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a worsted spinner’s clerk, his mother and sibling, Charles a clerk, meanwhile Donald had emigrated to Australia where he was engaged as an engineer and farmer. The family later moved to Woodland Avenue, Melton Mowbray.
FAMILY NOTE: Donald also had a younger sibling, John Henry, born in the October quarter of 1882 in Countesthorpe and who died on the 11th March 1883 in Leicestershire.
Donald enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 21st August 1914 in Bellevue, being assigned to the Australian Army Medical Corps, and was allotted the service number 201. He gave his place of birth as Countesthorpe, Leicestershire. His age as 30 years 2 months, his trade or calling as engineer and farmer, confirming that he had served a five-year apprenticeship with A, Barrow and Company, Leicester and he confirmed that he was unmarried.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Charles Cadoux, Woodland Avenue, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England. Later changed to his sister, Mrs. Richards, 5, Trinity Church Road, Barnes, SW13, England.
He confirmed that he had previously served for three years with the 1st Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and also served for one year with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, resigned in both cases.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Bellevue on the 21st August 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, declared age as [not recorded], trade or occupation as engineer and farmer, that he was 5-feet 6 inches in height, weighed 160 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 38 and 41 inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=6/6 L.E.-V=6/6. Enlisted at Bellevue on the 21st September 1914. Joined on enlistment “C” Section. 3rd Field Ambulance. Australian Army Medical Corps.
His Description on Enlistment records: Age 30 years 2 months, height 5-feet 6 inches, weight 160, chest measurement 38 to 41 inches, complexion dark, eyes blue, hair black and Religious Denomination Baptist. Distinctive marks 5½ inch scar right shin.
He was considered fit for active service on the 21st August 1914 in Helena Vale.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Enlisted. At Helena Vale. 21/8/14.
Posted. To “C” Section 3rd Field Ambulance. Pte. 21/8/14.
Embarked. From Freemantle, Australia per H.M.A.T. A7 Medic. 2/11/14.
Proceed to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli. 2/3/15.
Killed in action. Dardanelles. 3/5/15.
Buried at sea from “Gascon and Minnenaska” off Gallipoli.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
MILITARY NOTE: A letter that is held with his service records from a survivor of his unit, addressed to the Officer in Charge, Base Records, 1st A.I.F. 1914/18 War, Canberra from 59, Canning Beach Road, Applecross, Western Australia, dated May 15th 1957: reads: - Dear Sir, Re Private Donald CADOUX, “C” Section, 3rd Field Ambulance 1st AIF. I have been asked by some of the surviving members of “C” Section, 3rd Field Ambulance, 1st Australian Imperial Force to write to you requesting particulars of the above soldier who was killed at Gallipoli. He was a member of the original unit and we would like to have his Regimental Number and full name, place of birth, address of his next of kin, date he was killed, and any other information you can give. Cadoux went on the land in what was then an unsettled district. A railway siding with a Hall and store is now near the site of his selection. Hardly any residents know how the place got the name Cadoux, and we, the surviving comrades of his unit propose to put a small tablet in the Hall commemorating him. We do not think he had any relatives here. Yours Faithfully R. J. Aldred, formerly No. 196, “C” Section 3rd Field Ambulance. Footnote: The town is named Cadoux and is in Western Australia, Donald was the first settler there in 1909 and the town bears his name as a lasting memorial to him.
The War Diary records: 4 May-15 - KABA TEPE, GALLIPOLI. Again, heavy shrapnel fire. Went and saw A.D.M.S. who says he will evacuate our patients and only leave us light cases. He reiterated the order that Captain FRY was to report direct as to action on Sunday April 25th up to April 29th. He also ordered that all reinforcements and a joint sub division rank and file were to report to the A.D.M.S. as a burial party and for Sanitation Company. This takes from me 27 N.C.O.’s and men. No. 69 Private J.O. PEARSON, a stretcher bearer of “A” Section was wounded in the buttock by a fragment of shrapnel and sent aboard the Gloucester Castle. Again, heavy shrapnel fire. Evacuated serious cases but still have 30 others to attend to. May 4th - The following additional information regarding casualties was received from Captain J. A. GRIFFITHS D.A.A.G. Private MURRAY J. JONES No.2051 “C” Section, wounded whilst landing; very bad bullet wound through lower part of penis. Private PETER KILGOUR No. 207 “C” Section, bullet wound in hip, whilst landing. Private F. G. SPURGEON No.179 “C” Section, bullet wound in buttock, whilst landing. DEAD Private D. N. CADOUX No.201 “C” Section, killed whilst landing, shot through the heart from the right side.
Signed Alfred Sutton, Lieutenant Colonel.
On the 31st January 1920 the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester published a Roll of Honour in which Donald is shown to have been a pupil of the school between the years 1892 and 1898.
HISTORICAL NOTE: It is worth recording that Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick, famously known as “Simpson the man with the Donkey.” Was a member of “C” Section, and had trained alongside Donald at Blackboy Hills.
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