1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - North Africa, Missing Personnel file STATEMENT BY NO. 2716608 D/SGT F. KENNY, 1ST BATTALION IRISH GAURDS, RE. NO. 2718058 SGT. A. O'DONNELL. I was on duty at Battalion H.Q. when the above-mentioned Sergeant was brought in on a 3-ton lorry with L/Sergeant TEELING, L/Corporal ELLIOT, L/Corporal LEWISH and Guardsman ROMPEN, all dead. I immediately despatched the bodies, and in addition I placed the bodies of Guardsman PATTON, Sergeant MIDDLETON and Guardsman CAMPBELL on this truck. Signed F. Kenny, Drill Sergeant, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS. In the Field, 18 May 1943.
1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - North Africa, Missing Personnel file STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE BY 2720839 Guardsman R. HARRISON on identification of 2718058 Sergeant A. O'DONNELL As a stretcher bearer of No. 3 Company I was in the advance of April 27th and came across the body of the above-mentioned Sergeant who had the top of his head blown off, there is no doubt in my mind as to his identity as he was my platoon sergeant for a considerable time. Signed R. HARRISON, Guardsman Witness the above - [signature illegible], Lt.
1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - North Africa, Missing Personnel file STATEMENT OF 2717460 Guardsman M. McEVOY. I have known Sergeant O'DONNELL for a number of years and i immediately recognised the body to be that of Sergeant O'DONNELL, No. 3 Company, IRISH GUARDS. Signed M. McEVOY, 31st May, 1943.
1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - North Africa, Missing Personnel file STATEMENT BY 2717157 Sergeant R. THOROGOOD, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS on 2718058 Segeant A. O'DONNELL, IRISH GUARDS During the morning April 28th as Sergeant in charge Regimental Aid Post, I was out picking wounded up on the Battle Field when I came upon the body of the above-named Sergeant O'DONNELL. Knowing the Sergeant for a number of years there was no doubt in the identification. The body was sent back to the R.A.P. Signed R. THOROGOOD, Sergeant Witness the above - [signature illegible], Lt.
Casualty Serjeant O'DONNELL, ALEXANDER FRANCIS Service Number 2718058 Died Between 27/04/1943 and 28/04/1943 Aged 29 1st Bn. Irish Guards Son of Alexander Francis and Ellen O'Donnell; husband of Mary Josephine O'Donnell, of Clapham Common, London. INSCRIPTION: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS Buried at MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY Location: Tunisia Cemetery/memorial reference: 9. G. 13. See cemetery plan
