Donnell, P.M. Major

Personal Information

(*Distinguished Service Order / Croix de Guerre)

Years before the war started Patrick Marshall Donnell already had an extensive military career having completed infantry, Naval gunnery, Seamanship & Chartwork and Electricity Searchlights courses while serving in the Royal Marines from September 1935 to January 1939. He joined the Royal Marines on the 1st of September 1935 at Depot RM Deal. On the 20th of December 1935 he went to Plymouth Division and on the 30th of April 1936 to Portsmouth Division. From 14th September 1936 to 31st October 1936 he served on Depot ship HMS “Iron Duke” at Scapa Flow. In the period from the 1st of November 1936 to the 28th of November 1937 he went back to Portsmouth Division, Depot RM Deal and Plymouth Division. He served on heavy cruiser HMS “Cornwall” from the 29th of November 1937 until the 5th of January 1938 and on the battleship HMS “Revenge” from the 6th of January 1938 until the 30th of December 1938. On the last day of the year he went back to Plymouth Division where he resigned commission in the rank of Lieutenant on the 30th of January 1939. From May 1939 until late October 1939 he worked in different theatres as (Assistant) Stage Manager and re-joined the Royal Marines on the 26th October 1939 in RM Brigade. On the 6th of May 1940 he was promoted Acting Captain and disembarked at Reykjavik for the invasion of neutral Iceland on the 10th after Germany had invaded Denmark and Norway. A/Capt. Donnell was back in England on the 24th of May 1940 and arrived at Plymouth Division on the 10th of July 1940. He was in Freetown from August 1940 to February 1941. On the 20th of November 1941 he was promoted Temporary Acting Major and on the 12th of February 1943 went to shore establishment HMS “Tormentor” and on the 1st of August 1943 went to Holding Commando. He joined 47 RM Commando on the 28th of January 1944 as 2i/c at the rank of A/Ty Major and served with them until the 13th of July 1945. On the 4th of January 1945 he became the new Commanding Officer of 47 RM Commando as A/Ty Lt-Col. From 14th July 1945 to 18th December 1945 he was at RM Training Group (Wales) and on the 19th of December 1945 he went back to Plymouth Division and was released Class ‘A’ on the 20th of February 1946 granted the War Service Rank of Lt-Col. on release.

Awards

Croix de Guerre with Vermillion Star

Distinguished Service Order