Michael enlisted in the 47th Regiment, then was transfered to 57th Reg on 1 March 1852, also in Kilkenny. He held the British Crimean Medals with Three Clasps for Balaclava, Sevastopol and Inkerman. After a short stay at Malta his regiment was ordered to India and took part in the latter stages of the India Mutiny.

From Bombay the regiment came to Auckland and then was sent to New Plymouth where they become involved in the Maori Wars. Amongst the actions was the against the Waitara Maori stronghold of Te Arei. He was also part of the garrison that had defended Sentry Hill Redoubt against its attack by the Hau Hau in 1863.

At the cessation of the Maori Wars Michael O'Donnell settled at New Plymouth and he started a business at a bookmaker, a trade he continued in for 20 years.


Michael married Johanna Skully. I am unsure of the dates of movements while in the army, but they did have their son while in India with the 57th Regiment his name was Richard O'Donnell who was born on the 21 November 1860 in Poona, India.

Also on the Cenotaph are Michael O'Donnell's four grandsons - Harold Dennis O'Donnell. Leonard Stanley O'Donnell. Michael John O'Donnell. James Jerome O'Donnell. AWMM