Raymond Tasman Donoghue
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Raymond Tasman Donoghue (10 December 1920 – 29 April 1960) was an Australian tram driver posthumously awarded the George Cross for the gallantry he displayed in Hobart, Tasmania.
Born in 1920, Donoghue had earlier served with the Australian Imperial Force during World War Two, fighting in Greece before being taken prisoner by the Germans.[1]
On 29 April 1960, Donoghue was the conductor of a tram which collided with a lorry, injuring the driver and damaging the brakes, during rush hour. The tram began to roll down the main road, reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Donoghue, helped by passengers, struggled to apply the brakes in the damaged cab then moved the passengers to the rear of the tram to protect them. He stayed in the cab, ringing the bell to warn traffic and attempting to apply the handbrake, until the tram struck another, killing Donoghue. 47 passengers were injured, four seriously, but, thanks to Donoghue's calm and courageous actions, none were killed. The coroners report noted his "great fortitude in the face of imminent danger . . . doing all in his power to save the lives of numerous passengers".[1] The award of the the GC was gazetted on the 11 October 1960.[2] He is buried in Cornelian Bay cemetery.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Clements, Graham (1996). Donoghue, Raymond Tasman (1920 - 1960). Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved on 2008-03-27.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 42162, page 6849, 7 October 1960. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
