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The
Dohoney Family Written
by Helen Harris & Mary Jacobson
We have been researching family history for
about five years. We try to collect as much information about
people as possible to tell a story about a person, not just
the dates of birth and death.
Richard Charles McEwan Dohoney was born on the 26th January 1909 at
Hope Valley . He was the last of 9 children born to William and Alice Dohoney.
Richard�s mother Alice originally from Burra was 43 years
old when she had him. William Dohoney was 46 years of age and was
born at Tanunda to Cornelius and Mary Dohoney (nee Murphy), poor
Irish immigrants who came to South Australia
in 1859 on the ship � Australia �. While Cornelius Dohoney spent the last years of his life at
Kapunda he travelled all over South Australia looking for work. William came to
Hope Valley
to be close to his oldest sister Mary who had married Diedrich
Heitmann, she was the only child of the family who had been born
in Ireland . The records of shipping show the Dohoney�s coming to
Australia and can be seen at the Mortlock library. Births and marriage for
William and Alice can be seen on C.D Rom at the Tea Tree
Gully Library Local History room. Richard�s birth and death
certificates can be viewed also in the Local History Room on micro
fiche kept in the green folders labelled BD&M and Houghton
Marriage births 1856 �1922 deaths 1855 �1928.
Richard grew up at Hope
Valley
, we know this because his father William paid Council Rates for a
house and land at Hope Valley section 823 which was owned by Thomas Packer. Assessment
records� District of Highercombe, list William Dohoney at Hope
Valley from 1915 �23 � 1929 � 1931. Electoral roles for the
Division of Angus 1905, subdivision of Gumeracha also show William
Dohoney living at Hope Valley when he voted. These records can be seen at the Electoral
Commission, 1 King William Street Adelaide
Richard Dohoney started school at
Hope Valley primary on 21.4.1915. He left school in December 1922, he was over
age and had completed grade 6. This information was found at
Ardtornish Primary School
which holds the records for the Hope Valley School . On Friday 23 February 1923 having just finished
school and Christmas holidays, Richard Dohoney while riding his
bike was killed on Barracks road, Hope Valley , not far from his Uncle Diedrich�s house. His Death certificate
states he was 14 years old,son
of William Dohoney and was accidentally killed. Diedrich Heitmann
was the informant. Richard was buried at the Hope Valley cemetery, on the 24 February 1923 R.H.V.E.133. The
death certificate was authorized by the district registrar B. L.
Hill. This certificate was viewed at the Tea Tree Gully Library
Local History Room.
Cemetery records can also be found under the heading Golden Grove and
Hope Valley Cemetery Records 1863 � 1990. When an accident occurs a coroners report is prepared and
an inquest held if necessary. There were statements taken by the Mounted Constable E. L.
Bonython, Marjory Grace Benner, Frank Curtis (labourer) William
Lancelot Dohoey (brother) William Shannasy � medical
practitioner. The coroner concluded an inquest �not
necessary�. Three of the statements are as follow.
Marjory Grace Benner, (15 years) residing with her parents at Hope Valley
states: - At about 8pm when driving along the Hope Valley Rd,
accompanied by my brother I saw the deceased coming towards me
riding a bicycle. Neither of us had lights attached to our
vehicles. I was driving on the left side of the road. When the
deceased was about a chain away from me he put his head down and
started to ride very fast. As he came level with me he swerved
towards me. I sang out �Look� and at the same moment
the deceased collided with the horse which I was driving and which
bolted. About a chain up the road I fell out of the vehicle and
the horse bolted home and I chased it not knowing that anyone was
hurt. I lost my money and came back to look for it and seen the
deceased lying on the road apparently dead.
William Bonwill Shannasy, Medical Practitioner, residing at Tea Tree Gully
states: - I had an urgent call to Hope Valley Road about 8.10pm on the evening of the 23rd. On arriving
there I saw the deceased lying on the road and on examination found life to be extinct. He appeared to have
been dead several minutes. I then lifted him to the nearest
homestead. His throat was badly cut as if by the shaft of a cart
and there were abrasions to the face.
William Lancelot Dohoney, Shearer residing at
Hope Valley states: - The deceased is my brother. I last saw him alive at about half
past six last Monday morning the 19th inst. He then
appeared to be in good health. I next saw him on Friday night a
little after 8pm. He then appeared to be dead. He had a hole in
side of his neck and his mouth was badly cut.
The Indexes of records of S.A. Series �
Adelaide Hospital , Destitute Asylums No 8 Inquest 1877 �1899 relate to inquests
held into deaths and fires in South Australia No 9 � period 1900
� 1945. These can
also be found in the Local History Room and the inquest documents
can be found at the State Record Office at Netley.
After his death Richard�s family placed
personal notices in the Adelaide Chronicle newspaper. The Notices
index can be viewed in the Local History Room, period � 1921-22
�23. The newspaper can be read at the Mortlock
Library which includes notices for births, birthdays,
engagements, approaching marriage, anniversaries, deaths,
obituaries, in memory and heroes of the Empire or Great War.
Return thanks biographies and photographs can be seen.
10th March 1923Dohoney � Mr. & Mrs. R Heitmann and
family of Hope Valley wish to thank friends and relatives for floral tributes, and
especially those that helped at the time of the accident, for
their kindness and sympathy.
10th March 1923Mr. and Mrs. Dohoney and family of Hope Valley desire to express sincere
thanks to all relatives and friends for letters, telegrams floral
tributes and personal expressions of sympathy especially thanking
Mr. & Mrs. Heitmann Mrs. Hockey and family Mrs. Buder Dr.
Shanasy, Messrs Carlssons and Couls and Mrs. Hall in the loss of
our youngest son and brother.
A year after his death a memorial message was placed in the paper.
1st March 1924
Dohoney
In memory of our nephew and cousin, little
Dick. Killed at Hope Valley on the 23rd February 1923
Christ will join the broken chain
When we meet again
Above the waves of earthly strife
Inserted by Dick Heitmann and family
1st March 1924
In loving memory of Richard Charles McEwin
Dohoney, who was accidentally killed on the night of February 23
1923 aged 14 years.
He has gone like a flower
Cut down in its bloom
From the sunshine of life to the shade of the
tomb
But death cannot sever the bond of love
Or steal the fond hope we shall meet him
above
The midnight stars are shinning upon our dear
ones grave
Where sleeping without dreaming
He�s the brother we could not save
In our home you are fondly remembered
Fondest memories cling around your name
True hearts that loved you in life
Dear Dick they still love you in death the
same
Ever remembered by his loving Father, Mother,
Sister and Brothers
Richard Dohoney was our great Uncle and only lived for 14 years. As time
goes by we may even get more information about him. Hopefully we
will find a photograph for it is important to put a face to the
name. There is certainly a lot of information that can found when
doing family history and a lot of it is easily accessed at the Tea
Tree Gully Library Local History Room.
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