The AIF Project

George Michael O'BRIEN

Regimental number1334
Place of birthBirchip Victoria
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationSampler
Address'Fairview', Solomon Street, Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinFather, John O'Brien, c/o Stubbs and Jeffrey, Dumbleyung, Western Australia
Enlistment date21 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name32nd Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/49/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on 18 November 1915
The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked.
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A13 Katuna on 24 November 1915
The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked.
Rank from Nominal RollSapper
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Divisional Signal Company
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 9 April 1918

FateEffective abroad (still overseas)
Medals

Military Medal

'On the morning of the 5th April 1918, between RIBEMONT and BUIRE, these men [O'BRIEN, 5898 P.C. SMITH, 3536 W.H. BUCKNEY] maintained communications under very heavy shell-fire, thus allowing valuable information to pas through. It was due to their coolness and devotion to duty that the Artillery Brigades on the left, especially the 95th and 150 Artillery Brigades, were kept in communication, and enabled information to be conveyed at the right moment, resulting in good work being done.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918

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