AT CRIMEA IN 1855

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 235, 2 April 1912, Page 8

AT CRIMEA IN 1855

PRIVATE O'DOXNELL-55th REGIMENT. J At Crimea in 1855 Private Jolm O'Donnell, of the 55th Regiment, distinguished himself by winning a unique trophy in the shape of a medal for being the "best ' shot in the British service. Since then more than 50 years have rolled by, and of the countless soldiers who took part in the campaign all but few have gone to the realm of "the other living called the dead"; but Private John O'Donnell still shoots, and he and his medal have never parted company. Last Thursday he lay down on the mounds at the Waiwakniho rifle range in competition with fellow veterans. Time has wrought a change in the erstwhile best shot in the (British Army; new-fangled rifles of an entirely different pattern have superseded the old-fashioned "brown Besses," but nevertheless O'Donnell, using one of the former, was, in spite of his years, able to knock up the score of 13 at the 200 yds and 16 at the 300 yds ranges; and his was by no means the smallest total. The old -warrior, though in his year, still possesses all his faculties, and carries to this day a lively recollection of a unique shooting match. It was after the cessation of hostilities, while the troops were still at the Crimea, that a rifle match was arranged between representatives of all the British regiments. Naturally, the regiments were scattered, but although all did not shoot in the same place, none failed to take part in the notable trial of skill. Commencing at 200 yds, the competitors shot over all ranges up to 900 yds. In the final stages there were only two men in it—Private O'Donnell, and a sergeant whose name he has long since forgotten. At the 800 yds range the sergeant came right up on his opponent, until he was only two points behind. Whelv the two soldiers breasted the 900 yds mound, however, | O'Donnell recovered himself and, to quote his own words, "put on two bull's-eyes and three centres, while the other fellow | clamped on two 'bulls' and only one centre." Amidst the deep-voiced cheers of the regiments assembkd, "John" received the handshake of General PennyI feather, commander of the second diviI sion, and was also personally congratu- [ lated by Colonel Dobney, colonel of the regiment. It was a proud moment in the life of the young private, who little dreamt that in the year 1912 he would I be still shooting. Private John O'Donnell has more than the one feat—however distinguished—to feel proud of, for, in addition, he bears a record of active service which is worthy of the esteem of the whole nation. He "fought for his Queen and country" at Alma and Balaclava, shot at the Russians at Inkerman, and at another engagement, involving the taking of a redoubt, called "the Quarries," and while still fresh from his wounds—he bears the scars of several, which he will carry to I his grave, was ordered to India for serf vice. There he went through all the horrors of the Mutiny, and some of his recollections of the reign of terror read like a romance. He was one of the reheving force that marched on Lucknow and he also fought at Cawnpore, Delhi' Peshwar and Rawalpindi. O'Donnell received his discharge in 1872, after 20 years' active service, having accepted the "Queen's Shilling" on February, 1851 at an age of twenty-one, when many youths of the present generation grudge their country a few years* compulsory miliary training! This was the last ot his fighting days, for when subsequently he emigrated to New Zealand, all the fighting—doubtless much to his regret— r S ,°J er / i lr - °' Doi " 1 ell J who resides at the West End, is now an old resident of New Plymouth.