William Francis O'Brien

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 18/03/2015 - 12:27

First Name:

William

Middle Name:

Francis

Last Name:

O'Brien

Mother's Name:

Ellen (nee McMahon)

Father's Name:

Daniel O'Brien

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, September 19, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

51st Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

Sergeant William O'Brien (service no. 3186) was born in Mount Kembla circa 1894.

At the time of his enlistment he was living and working in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia as a labourer. He embarked on HMAT A35 Berrima on 23rd December, 1916 with 8th Reinforcements, 51st Battalion. William saw service on the Western Front until he was admitted to hospital on 12th October, 1917 with a gunshot wound to his right arm and shoulder. On 18th June, 1918 he was transferred to 4th Machine Gun Battalion and saw out the rest of the war with them.

He returned to Australia in June 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on 30th July, 1919. His enlistment papers note a change of next of kin from Mother to Wife Elizabeth Josephine but no date is given for this change.

James had a brother Brandon O'Brien who died at Gallipoli.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, O'BRIEN WILLIAM FRANCIS