Next of kin plaque : Private J O'Donnell, 1 Light Trench Mortar Battery, AIF

Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name 'JOHN O'DONNELL'. A checker's mark, '18', is impressed behind the lion's rear right paw.

John H O'Donnell was born in Sydney in 1897 and was employed by his local council as labourer when he enlisted in the AIF on 22 June 1915. After initial training he was assigned as a private the 8th Reinforcements for 1st Battalion, with the service number 2634.

The unit sailed for Egypt aboard HMAT A54 Runic on 9 August. After training in Egypt O'Donnell arrived at Gallipoli on 4 November. He reported sick with rheumatism on 5 December and was evacuated to Alexandria 2 days later. At the beginning of January 1916 he was discharged from hospital to rejoin his battalion in Egypt.

O'Donnell was transferred to 45th Battalion on 31 March. He was hospitalised again on 12 April, rejoining his unit on 21 May. On 24 May he joined the 1st Training Battalion, before being sent to the 14th Training Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir a few days later. However, he does not seem to have joined his new training unit as he was found guilty in England of being illegally with the 1st Training Battalion in June. He appears to have stowed away with them to England earlier that month. O'Donnell rejoined the 1st Battalion in France on 3 August. The following day the battalion lent him to 1st Light Trench Mortar Battery (1 LTMB).

On 25 September O'Donnell was charged with drunkenness and using insubordinate language towards his superior officer. Awarded 40 days field punishment at his court martial on 3 October, he was released to serve with 1 LTMB at Poperinghe, Belgium. On 10 October he was severely wounded by shrapnel, losing his hand, both eyes, part of his face, and receiving penetrating wounds to his chest and abdomen. The nature of his injuries suggests that they were sustained in a training accident when a faulty barrel exploded. O'Donnell survived for 5 days at the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, and died there on 15 October. He is buried at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.

This commemorative plaque was sent to his parents, John and Kate O'Donnell, in August 1922.