Lieutenant Colonel William Donovan Joynt

Service number	V80044
Ranks Held	Captain, Lieutenant, Lieutenant Colonel, Second Lieutenant
Birth Date	19/03/1889
Birth Place	Australia: Victoria, Melbourne, Elsternwick
Death Date	05/05/1986
Death Place	Australia: New South Wales, Windsor
Final Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Service	Australian Imperial Force
Unit	8th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places	Elsternwick Windsor
Conflicts/Operations	First World War, 1914-1918 Second World War, 1939-1945

Description

Donovan Joynt (1889-1986) enlisted in Melbourne in May 1915. Posted to France as an officer, he was wounded in September 1916. In an attack at Herleville Wood on 23 August 1918, with his own company commander dead, and the leading battalion shaken and reduced by heavy losses, Joynt took charge. At one point he located the source of heavy machine-gun fire from a wood and led a bayonet attack on it. He continued to fight and provide vital leadership and inspiration until wounded by a shell.

After the war Joynt founded a printing and publishing company in Melbourne. He served again during the Second World War. A prominent veteran, he was aged 97 when he died.

Collection items

Rolls

Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

Unit

8th Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Lieutenant
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

Unit

8th Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Lieutenant
Honours and Awards:

Unit

8th Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Lieutenant
First World War Embarkation Roll:

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Second Lieutenant
First World War Nominal Roll:

Unit

8th Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Captain

Timeline

Date of birth	19/03/1889
Date of enlistment	24/12/1915
Date promoted	24/12/1915	Appointed to 2nd Lieutenant and posted to 8 Battalion.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs)	21/05/1915	Enlisted at Melbourne.
Date promoted	31/12/1916	Promoted to Lieutenant.
Date wounded	30/09/1916	Wounded during a successful night raid on enemy trenches and for his services was commended in Divisional Orders.
Date of embarkation	07/03/1916
Date of recommendation honour or award	01/09/1918
Date promoted	29/10/1918	Promoted to Captain.
Date returned to Australia	22/12/1919
Other	11/06/1920	Appointment to AIF ended.
Date of death	05/05/1986