Category: ACT Soldiers

Lieutenant Colonel John Francis Donnelly – 64

55957969
John Francis Donnelly in uniform. Source: https://www.archives.act.gov.au/repatandrabbits/john-donnelly

 

Birth: John Francis Donnelly was born on the 28th of June, 1885 in Gundaroo NSW to Aimee Stewart and Patrick Joseph Bede Donnelly.

Religion, School and Occupation: He was a Roman Catholic who attended St Patrick’s College at Goulburn NSW and then was a station manager.

4274834
Portrait of Captain John Francis Donnelly, (left) Camp Commandant of 2nd Division and Colonel Alfred Sutton (right) of 2nd the Australian Division, Headquarters, at Tel el Kebir. Source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1029005

Service Records:

John Francis Donnelly joined the army on the 23rd of August 1910 in Albury, NSW. Before the start of the First World War John F Donnelly was a Staff Sergeant Manager on the Instructional Staff.

Embarkation: Departed Melbourne on the 21st of October 1914 on HMAT Orvieto A3.

6882165-2
A group of warrant and non-commissioned officers attached to the 1st Australian Division Headquarters, outside an Egyptian temple at Saqqara, Egypt. John Francis Donnelly is standing on the left side of the right column. Source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1014343
  • Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Master 1/9/14 – 4/8/15 Head Quarters, 1st A.I.F. Division
  • Second Lieutenant 4/8/15 – 5/10/15 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
  • Promoted Lieutenant 5/10/15 – 16/10/15 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
  • Lieutenant 16/10/15 – 14/3/16 Aide de Camp, 2nd Australian HQ
  • Promoted Captain 14/3/16 – 1/3/17 2nd Pioneer Battalion, 2nd A.I.F. Division
  • Promoted Major 1/3/17 – 17/2/19 2nd Pioneer Battalion, 2nd A.I.F. Division
  • Promoted Lieutenant Colonel 17/2/19 – 2/11/19 1st Pioneer Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division

Medals: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

  • Also received Distinguished Service Order on 3rd June 1917
John Francis Donnelly Footlocker
Foot Locker used and belonging to John Francis Donnelly with legible inscription on lid ‘LIEUT. J.F. DONNELLY / 2ND PIONEERS. / A.I.F.’ Source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1191945

Marriage and Children: In 1923 John married Ellen Margaret Cranney. They had two daughters Eileen and Judith and a son John.

Death: John died from cancer on the 18th of September 1962 in Canberra, ACT. He is buried in Woden cemetery.

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/51748

https://www.archives.act.gov.au/repatandrabbits/john-donnelly

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/donnelly-john-francis-5996/text10237

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/donnelly-john-francis-5996/text10237

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2019722

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2188876