Chinese historian Yang Shiqing visited Lithgow recently to track down information about the early life of former Lithgow Mercury staff member William Henry Donald, who was born in Lithgow in 1875.

Mr Yang was on the hunt for articles written by Mr Donald during his time at the Lithgow Mercury. However, an article printed on the occasion of his death in 1946 stated he was employed as a printer at the Lithgow Mercury. He certainly went on to become a successful journalist, working at the 'National Advocate' in Bathurst and the Daily Telegraph in Sydney.

He took up a position as a journalist at The China Mail. He served as its managing editor until 1908 and went on to become an advisor to influential Chinese leaders Sun Yat-Sen and Chiang Kai-shek.

At a service held for him at Hoskins Church following his death, Rev N Symes paid tribute to his international significance. He was quoted in the Lithgow Mercury on December 4, 1946, stating that "10 years ago the eyes of the whole world were focused upon China where a mammoth moral struggle for mastery was being waged between different personalities".

"Those who knew China and the Chinese were convinced that the only personality capable of maintaining a unified China was Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. It was, therefore, a very fateful moment when it was announced at an important conference at Shanghai that there had been a mutiny in Shensi Province and the Generalissimo had been captured by rebel forces.

"Madame Chiang Kai-shek, whose agile brain is known to be quite as great as that of her husband, took stock of the position, and concluded that their was only one man in China who had a hope of rescuing the Generalissimo and, thereby, saving China from a fearful civil war.

"That man was an Australian, William Henry Donald.

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"The story of how he did extricate the Generalissimo from a very serious position is an epic of quiet courage and brilliant diplomacy and it was made possible only by Donald's sterling reputation for integrity. And [on the] back of that dramatic incident there is a man's rise from a printer's boy to international fame."

Mr Donald was unpopular with the Japanese government, which described him as the "evil spirit of China" and offered rewards for his capture in the early 1940s. He was captured, but due to giving a false name, the Japanese forces kept Mr Donald as a prisoner of war for three years, between 1942 and 1945, without knowing they had captured him.

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He died in Shanghai in 1946, following his release, and was farewelled at a state funeral by the Republic of China.

Mr Donald was born to a large family in Lithgow. His father, George, was a stonemason and building contractor, and was mayor of Lithgow as well as representing the Hartley electorate in the State Parliament. He designed and built St Mary's Church.

A childhood shoulder injury as the result of a fall from an old choir platform in St Mary's Church, which was never set properly, left the young William Donald unable to follow in his father's footsteps.

Instead William, who was known for his "adventurous spirit", was apprenticed to the Lithgow Mercury at the age of 14. After leaving the country in 1903 to take up his China post, he never returned to Australia.

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He was in New Zealand in 1941 when he received a special request from the Generalissimo and his wife to return to China and assist the country.

He was captured and interned at Manilla. On his release, he was described as a "walking skeleton" due to the poor conditions at the camp. He was taken to a hospital in Honolulu but he remained in poor health. He elected to return to China for his final days and he died in Shanghai on November 9, 1946, aged 71.

One Chinese commentator is quoted in the Lithgow Mercury as stating "China has lost one of the ablest servants it ever had; a brave and intrepid spirit has gone forth into the unknown".

March 27, 1903, Lithgow Mercury, P4

Mr. W. H. Donald, who recently left the Sydney Daily Telegraph staff to take up an important position on the Melbourne Argus, has (says a Bathurst paper) received a lucrative offer to take up the sub-editorship of the China Mail, Hong Kong. Mr. Donald has not yet decided whether he will accept the offer to proceed to the Eastern city, but should he do so, his many friends will be sincere in their wishes for his future advancement.

June 5, 1903, Lithgow Mercury, P4

Mr G Donald has received a letter, written at Manila, Philippines, from his son, Mr. W. H. Donald, who is on his way to take up the sub-editorship of the "North China Mail," Hongkong. The writer states that he had so far had a splendid trip, and gave an interesting account of the various ports of call and incidents of note during the passage. In crossing the line, the weather was no hotter than in Sydney on the day before the ship left that port. The vessel called at Brampton Island, and a stone was erected over the grave of the late Captain Williams, of the Chingtu.

May 25, 1942

'Chinese' Donald - Lithgow's famous son - missing

Says yesterday's Sunday Sun: The Australian who saved China from tragedy, who is unofficial adviser to the Chinese Government, and for whose head Japan would pay thousands - is W. H. Donald.

He has been missing' since Japan took Manila, where Donald was last seen.

The Chinese Government has begged London, Washington and Canberra to find the Australian and guard him as he once guarded and saved Generalissimo Chiang Kaishek.

William Henry Donald is less known in his native Australia... This romantic figure, who moves in those mysterious circles where a few men decide the fate of nations, was born in Lithgow, NSW. He has not set foot in Australia since 1902.

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