Branden Charles Joseph O'Brien

Private Branden O'Brien (Service no: 1158) was born in 1889, at Cordeaux River, the son of Daniel and Ellen O Brien (nee Moran). Ellen's father and his brothers were the second family to settle in the area, and Ellen was born there in 1869

Branden lied about his age on enlistment, as his documents indicate he was a 25 year old farmer. He sailed with the 4th Battalion on HMAT A14 Euripides on 20th October, 1914 in the first contingent. After training in Egypt he sailed with the Battalion to Gallipoli and landed on 25th April, 1915.

On 7th August the 3rd Battalion were at Brown's Dip. The Battalion diary states:  "A Company were to be in Gun Lane from the 2nd Battalion Headquarters to the Pimple with communications trench at the turn which leads to B9 tunnel. From 1700 hours every man available to be in the firing line. This position suffered from very heavy shell fire."

Some time between the 7th and 10th August 1915 during the battle of Lone Pine, Private Branden O'Brien was killed in action.  He was buried by Chaplain, Rev. Fr E McAuliffe on 10th August, 1915 at Brown's Deip. Some time later, around 1923, his remains were exhumed and re-interred at Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli -  Plot 2, Row E, Grave 23.