Studio portrait of QX6681 Sergeant (Sgt) Adrian Roy Doneley, 2/5 Battalion. A grazier from ...

Studio portrait of QX6681 Sergeant (Sgt) Adrian Roy Doneley, 2/5 Battalion. A grazier from Auchenflower, Queensland prior to enlistment on 3 June 1940, Sgt Doneley initially served in the Middle East as a Private with 2/15 Battalion. Later transferring to 2/5 Battalion, he was promoted to Sergeant, was wounded in action and was also Mentioned in Despatches. Following his promotion to Lieutenant he was deployed to New Guinea with his battalion and was wounded in action for the second time. He was later awarded the Military Cross, the citation for which reads in part "Lt Doneley's careful planning and extremely cool conduct under fire enabled him to carry out successfully the numerous, audacious thrusts against the Japanese. He so skilfully commanded his platoon and patrols that there have been no casualties amongst troops under his command. His outstanding gallantry, personal courage and inspiring command is an example to the whole of the Battalion in which his name has become a legend." On 6 June 1945, he was killed in action and is commemorated on the Lae Memorial. Two brothers, QX26624 Sgt Austin Robert Doneley, 2/7 Battalion and 24977 Leading Seaman Paul Sebastian Doneley, HMAS Perth, were also killed in action. Other items in the National Collection relating to Sgt Doneley can be found at PR05174; PUB02510; REL45470; REL45471; REL 45472 and S05243.