2/1456 Gunner William (Bill) O'Donnell, borm 7.11.1894 at Kaeo, the son of William and Catherine Elizabeth O'Donnell of Auckland, served with the New Zealand Field Artillery 4th Reinforcements. He was wounded in action at Messines on 8th June 1917 and died the same day.He was buried at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France (III.C.198).

His service record shows that Bill O'Donnell was working in Auckland as a clerk, employed by Clark & Sons. However, his name is recorded on the Piha Memorial as an employee of the State Sawmill Co.

Bill O'Donnell also served on Gallipoli. He reached the Dardanelles in July and, "while there, found Jack's grave and sent his mother a sprig of clover he plucked from the ground marked "A little piece of Gallipoli, Bill". Nearly 100 years later, his family still treasures it. Bill went on to France, writing home that leaving "dear old Jack behind was a big heart-wrench" ...

He fought on the Western Front over two long years, until June 8, 1917 when, during the major Messines offensive, he was shot in the stomach and died in the casualty clearing station."

Quoted from Sandra Coney, 'Sunday Insight: Windswept memorial', New Zealand Herald, Sunday Apr 21, 2013.