2Lt H. R. Donnelly, late AIF attd 2/11 Gurkhas

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear GWFs,

I have, fortuitously, secured a fair scan of a February 1919 Officer Group Photo of 1/11th Gurkha Rifles. The unit distinguished itself during Third Afghan, the CO, Lt-Col A. E. Johnson, later got the DSO. Also present in the group, were Capts F. H. Hartnoll and H. E. Templer. I hold the medals of the former, and managed to contact a member of the Templer family. He told me that one of the officers, 2Lt H. R. Donnelly, had transferred to the Gurkhas from the Australian Imperial Force.

Can a, perhaps Aussie, GWF member shed some light on Lieutenant Donnelly?

Kindest regards,

Kim.

Edited 23 October , 2016 by Kimberley John Lindsay

[kenmorrison]

Harold Roland Donnelly, Corporal 1746 discharged September 1917 to join Indian Army.

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=81298

Service file is available at http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=3513973

 

Ken

[IPT]

Is this the picture? - http://www.king-emperor.com/1-11th Gurkha Rifles.html

 

Your man is Harold Roland Donnelly, which his service papers confirm - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3513973

 

Australian newspapers report the death of a Captain H.R. (Harold) Donnelly, Burma Rifles, in Colombo, 23/12/1924.

 

I think this might be him-

Edited 23 October , 2016 by IPT

[kenmorrison]

The London Gazette Publication date:8 April 1919 Issue:31279 Page: 4581

 

The KING has approved the admission to the Indian Army of the following 2nd Lieuts. from the Unattached List: — To be 2nd Lieuts.

Harold Roland Donnelly. 14th Sept. 1918.

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Ken and  IPT,

Absolutely brilliant and Well Done, both of you!

That is indeed 2Lt Donnelly (front row, far right), erstwhile AIF corporal, but meantime sporting an officer-like moustache. 

I was taken aback to learn of his untimely death, just five years later, however. 

Nonetheless, this puts more substance to the background of the GR officers group photo.

Many thanks. I will also pass on the information to the grandson of Capt Templer, also in the group...

Kindest regards,

Kim.