James Patrick O’Donnell (SN 4558), born at Dunnstown near Ballarat, was a 32 year old labourer when he enlisted in Ballarat on July 19th 1915. Posted to the 8th Infantry Battalion, he embarked from Melbourne on January 28th 1916 on board the Themistocles and reached Egypt four weeks later. He was then transferred to the 58th Battalion and moved to France in June. Three weeks later his unit took part in the disastrous charge at Fromelles but he emerged without physical wounds. Soon after this, pleurisy and influenza caused him to be hospitalised for many weeks. He rejoined his unit in the field in May 1917 and negotiated the remainder of the war without major incident. He left England on May 8th 1919 to return to Australia aboard the Devanha, disembarking at Melbourne on June 23rd and was discharged a few weeks later.

One of a number of soldiers with multiple entries in the original register, he is also recognised at Tree 3866.