Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Battle of the Sambre’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant J. O’Donnell, 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, for putting an enemy machine gun post out of action in the Forêt de Mormal, 5 November 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (49255 Cpl. J. O’Donnell. 2/Otago: R.); British War and Victory Medals (49255 Sjt. J. O’Donnell. N.Z.E.F.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (3) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 3 July 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘Operations: British front in the vicinity of the Forêt de Mormal, 5th November 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the above operations Corporal O’Donnell’s Company was in support. When the locating Company was held up, he took his Lewis gun section forward to the flank and by bringing fire to bear on an enemy machine gun post put it out of action. Then he worked forward on the flank and as he came into contact with the enemy.’

J. O’Donnell was born in Australia in 1891, and attested for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force at Invercargill in January 1917. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment in the French theatre of war from April 1918. O’Donell returned to New Zealand in the S.S. Carpentaria in April 1919, and was discharged in June 1919.