PASSING OF A VETERAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1916, Page 3

PASSING OF A VETERAN.

THE LATE PRIVATE O'DONNELL. BRITAIN'S BEST SHOT. The funeral of the late Private John 0 Donnell, of the 55th Regiment, who died at his residence, Barrett street, on Ihursdav, took place at the Te Henui Cemetary on Saturday. A number of '■• datives and friends, including several veterans, gathered at the graveside. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. Father Kelly, who expressed sympathy with the relatives and referred to the gentlemanly and Christian-like qualities ot deceased. At the conclusion of the service Bugler Walker sounded "The Last Post."

The late Private O'Donnell was born at Bally Sheen, County Limerick, Ire--■ind, 87 years ago. He served through Jie Crimean war, and while there he distinguished himself by winning the unique trophy in the shape of a medal for being the best shot in the British service.

On the cessation of hostilities, while tlie troops were still at the Crimea, a line match was arranged between representatives of all the British je°-i----ments. Naturally, the regiments were scattered, but although all did not shoot in the same place, none failed to take part m the notable trial of skill. Commencing at 200 yds, the competitors shot :.vcr all ranges up to 900 yds. In the final stages there were only two men in itPrivate O'Donnell, and a sergeant whose name has long since been forgotten. At die SOO yards range tlie sergeant came right up on bis opponent, until he was only two points behind. When the two soldiers breasted the flOOyds mound, however, O'Donnell recovered himself and, to quote his own words, "put on two bull'seyes and three centre?, while the other fellow clamped on two 'bulls' and only one centre." Amidst the deep-voiced cheers of the regimento, assembled, 'John ' received the handshake of General Pennyfcather, commander of the second division, and was also personally congratulated by Colonel Dobney, colonel of the regiment. It was a proud moment in the life of the young private. As the result of his experiences in tin Crimea, the deceased wore a medal with the Alma and Inkerman clasps, and the bronze star won in 1552 for being the best shot in tlie British Army. Private O'Donnell used to recall witli pride tho occasion on which General Pennyfatlier, commanding the second division in the Crimea, paraded the 55th and handed to hi.il the coveted cross inscribed "Best Shot." Colonel Dawheny, then officer commanding the regiment, remarked to O'Donnell, "That medal is more valuable than a war decoration."

Private John O'Donnell had. more than the one feat—however distinguished— to fee! proud of, for, in addition, he bore a record of active service which is worthy of the esteem of the whole nation. Hp "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 was ordered to India for service. There he went through all the horrors of the Mutiny. He was one of the relieving force that marched on Lucknow, and he also fought at Cawnporc, 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. This was the last of his fighting days, for when subsequently he emigrated to New Zealand, all the fighting was over. When Lord Kitchener visited New / Zea'land some years ago, he shook hands with the veteran and congratulated him oc. his magnificent record as a soldier. In 1912, Private O'Donnell took part in a shooting contest at Waiwakaiho. Using on old-fashioned "Brown Besse" illle, the veteran put up the score of 13 at 200 yds and lfi at the .'looyds ranges. The late veteran retained his faculties until the end, which came unexpectedly. During his life-time, Private O'Donnell used to narrate incidents of the battles of Alma and Inkerman. He used to tell how the British troops, tvhom the Emperor Nickolas had promised to drive into ihe sea, cleared the bills-'of Alma in three and a half hours. Private O'Donnell, who bad married twice, left a widow and a family of three daughters and one son, the daughters being Mesdames Tempero, George, Drury, of Taranaki, and the son, Mr. T. O'Xeil, of Marton.