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Bill Donovan obituary Bill Donovan obituary
(5 months later)
My uncle, Bill Donovan, who has died aged 90, was a second world war veteran and a lifelong supporter of the humanist movement.My uncle, Bill Donovan, who has died aged 90, was a second world war veteran and a lifelong supporter of the humanist movement.
Born into a Roman Catholic family in west Cork, Ireland, he was one of 12 children and the only family member to complete secondary education. Discontented with the conservative and economically stagnant Ireland of the day, he took the train to Belfast in 1943 and joined the RAF.Born into a Roman Catholic family in west Cork, Ireland, he was one of 12 children and the only family member to complete secondary education. Discontented with the conservative and economically stagnant Ireland of the day, he took the train to Belfast in 1943 and joined the RAF.
Bill spent six months in Britain training as a radio operator before being sent to a base near Eindhoven, in the Netherlands. As the tide of the war turned in the allies' favour, he advanced into Germany and was stationed in Schleswig-Holstein until 1947. He saw the aftermath of the 1943 bombing of Hamburg in which more than 40,000 civilians were killed. While being moved by the horrors of war, he also acknowledged that Germany had to be defeated.Bill spent six months in Britain training as a radio operator before being sent to a base near Eindhoven, in the Netherlands. As the tide of the war turned in the allies' favour, he advanced into Germany and was stationed in Schleswig-Holstein until 1947. He saw the aftermath of the 1943 bombing of Hamburg in which more than 40,000 civilians were killed. While being moved by the horrors of war, he also acknowledged that Germany had to be defeated.
Once he was released from the RAF in 1947, Bill travelled across much of Europe and ended up spending several weeks in Barcelona. It was a lively place, he recalled, with many bars, restaurants and music. But it was only eight years after the city, a republican stronghold, had suffered defeat at the hands of General Francisco Franco during the Spanish civil war. There were still soldiers patrolling the streets and this made a lasting impression on him.Once he was released from the RAF in 1947, Bill travelled across much of Europe and ended up spending several weeks in Barcelona. It was a lively place, he recalled, with many bars, restaurants and music. But it was only eight years after the city, a republican stronghold, had suffered defeat at the hands of General Francisco Franco during the Spanish civil war. There were still soldiers patrolling the streets and this made a lasting impression on him.
Returning to London in November 1947, Bill passed the exams for the civil service and worked in various government departments in Whitehall until his retirement in 1983. Then, with time on his hands, he started travelling again, his visits included one to Moscow the following year.Returning to London in November 1947, Bill passed the exams for the civil service and worked in various government departments in Whitehall until his retirement in 1983. Then, with time on his hands, he started travelling again, his visits included one to Moscow the following year.
From an early age, Bill questioned the religious beliefs with which he was brought up. After much reflection he concluded that all religions were essentially manmade. As well as supporting humanism, he was a libertarian and opposed any political ideology or religion that curtailed personal freedom. He requested a humanist funeral, something quite unusual for an Irishman of his generation.From an early age, Bill questioned the religious beliefs with which he was brought up. After much reflection he concluded that all religions were essentially manmade. As well as supporting humanism, he was a libertarian and opposed any political ideology or religion that curtailed personal freedom. He requested a humanist funeral, something quite unusual for an Irishman of his generation.
Bill is survived by two brothers, Christy and Cornelius, two sisters, Agnes and Angel, and many nieces and nephews.Bill is survived by two brothers, Christy and Cornelius, two sisters, Agnes and Angel, and many nieces and nephews.
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