39191 Private Thomas Donelly, 9/9/1895-19/7/1918.

We regret to chronicle the death of Private Thomas Donnelly, who was killed in France during the fighting in July. Private Donnelly left New Zealand with the 22nd Reinforcements and had seen a lot of hard fighting. He was well known in our district and a very popular young man. Prior to enlisting he worked as head trainer for Mr A. F. Roberts, Teviot Station. He was born at Weatherstones, but finished his education at the local school. He will always be remembered for the keen interest he took in all forms of sport. His brother, Mr William Donnelly, recently lost a son in France. To his sorrowing relatives is extended the sympathy of the whole district. -Mt Benger Mail, 7/8/1918

Thomas Donnelly joined the army three weeks after marrying his wife Rachael at the end of September, 1916.  He spent some time in hospital in France, diagnosed with "myalgia."  He was with the 1st Battalion of the Otago Regiment at the beginning of their drive east after the retreating Germans.  At Rossignol Wood the Otagos were stopped by a series of prepared defences.  Before they were assaulted, Thomas was "killed in action."

Rachael married again in February of 1919.

Gommecourt Cemetery, Photo: NZ War Graves Project

Otago Witness, 21/8/1918.

RECRUITING

Another Batch "Sworn In." Under New Regulations.

Lieutenant Hamilton, of the Milton Defence Office, was in Roxburgh last week, and enrolled several recruits, who have been successful in passing the medical test. Those sworn in were —

Thomas Donnelly, Roxburgh, K. M. Sinclair. Bank of N.Z., Roxburgh. George Gordon. Coal Creek. K. J. Thompson, Roxburgh. Kerr, Roxburgh. D. Dunlay. Coal Creek. These are the first to be sworn in under the new regulations which recently came into operation. Previously a recruit could sign on and stay at home if he did not feel inclined to go. The old order of things has been changed. The recruit becomes a soldier from the moment he enlists. He is given a choice of going to the training camps within three months instead of six, and if he does not parade on the day his draft goes forward the police will want to know the reason why. Immediately he enlists he receives two papers: a white one for which on presentation at the Post Office he will receive 5s. being one day's military pay on enlistment, and a blue one, a pass giving the holder leave until the date of departure of the Reinforcement draft for which he has enlisted. This will serve to do away with the trouble previously occasioned the authorities by men failing to put in an appearance at parade at the last minute. Those who now enlist and do not turn up run the risk of being arrested as deserters, or may be taken into camp under escort at the first opportunity. -Mt Benger Mail, 11/10/1916.