John Bede McDonell was born at Taree on 24 September 1918 to John Joseph McDonell and Johanna Treacy. John attended Central Lansdowne School.
Prior to enlisting in the AIF, John had served full time with the CMF from 7 October 1941 until 29 July 1942.
John then enlisted in the Australian Army on the 30 July 1942 at Central Lansdowne aged 23 years stating his occupation as dairyman, storeman and packer. He listed his father John McDonell of Central Lansdowne as his next of kin. At the time of enlistment he was posted to 1 Australia Field Hygiene Section. His posting was spent in New South Wales.
At the time of discharge on 28 March 1944, he was posted to 20/34 Australian Infantry Battalion.
He was discharged as being required for employment in an essential occupation.
After the war John returned to the family dairy farm at Central Lansdowne. He then trained as a bricklayer and worked on the Killawarra Railway Bridge.
In 1945 John married Noreen June Wood at Sutherland. John died on 17 February 1991 at Miranda aged 72.
