Donald was born c.1891 in Preston Brook. His Father Thomas Henry (b.1857 in Preston Brook) worked as a clerk for the Canal Company, whilst mum Martha (nee Ollier. b.1858 Stoke, Staffordshire) looked after the household. Donald’s sister Marion Ollier was born in 1882 in Preston Brook, as was his brother Frank Perrin (b.1884). The youngest brother, Lancelot Joseph was born in Runcorn (b.1897).
In the 1901 Census the family was living in Waterloo Road, Runcorn. Frank was now a fitter’s apprentice and Marion was a teacher at the local board school, whilst Donald was at school and Lancelot was only 3.
Marion got married in 1907 to Sydney A. Buckley a cost clerk at an iron foundry in St. Helens, Lancashire. By the 1911 Census, Marion had given birth to a baby boy named John Stephen Henry.
In 1911 back in Runcorn Frank had also left home, he was a 4th engineer aboard a ship berthed at Roath Basin, Cardiff. Donald was now an analytical chemist, whilst Lancelot was still at school.
Come WW1 all three boys ended up in the army. Frank joined the Cheshire Yeomanry, Lancelot joined the Cheshire Regt but ended up in the Royal Engineers.
Donald, now calling himself ‘Harry’, enlisted on the 12th November 1915 as a pioneer in the Royal Engineers No. 225073. Whilst in the army he was admitted to hospital several times in Trouville, France. Donald was demobbed on 2nd December 1919.
On the 2nd July 1926, Donald emigrated to Sydney, Australia on board the P&O Ship Mooltan. His last U.K. abode was ‘Stoneclough’, Runcorn. He was listed as an unaccompanied chemist aged 35. In 1927 his brother Lancelot also emigrated and came to live with Donald. By this time Donald was listed on the electoral rolls as a manager.
In 1930 Donald married Vera Dorothy Watson, who was born in Redfern, New South Wales, Australia in 1896.
In September 1944 we find that Donald was returning to the U.S. from Canada.
In August 1951, we find Donald travelling from New York, U.S. to Southampton aboard the Queen Mary care of Fort Dunlop, Birmingham. He was now the Manager of Dunlop Rubber Co, Australia.
In October 1951 he returned to Sydney from the U.K. on board P&O Stratheden accompanied by wife Vera and a 12 year old Helen Vera Priestley.
Donald passed away aged 91 in Surrey Hills, Victoria in 1982, whilst Vera also died that year in Hawthorn, Victoria.