There is a details of Arthur Donnan's life at Hawkesbury Agricultural College which is now the University of Western Sydney. He had a very distinguished career before joining the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was an expert rifleman

It is noted he was wounded on the 7th of June 1917, was unfortunately stranded in no man's land for 48 hours and when retrieved died from his wounds. It is believed it was Messines Ridge where he was wounded.

He was a Recipient of the Military Cross for distinguished service