| Regimental number | 1578 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Alberton, South Australia |
| School | Alberton Public School and the Marist Brothers (Catholic) College, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Ships purser |
| Address | Queen Street, Alberton, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22 |
| Next of kin | Mrs A O'Brien, Queen Street, Alberton, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 10th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/27/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A54 Runic on |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | Served in Egypt, Gallipoli, France, Belgium, and Flanders. Killed while leading his men 'over the top'. |
| Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | Name does not appear on Nominal Roll |
| Place of death or wounding | Louverval, France |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 22.6 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 24 |
| Place of burial | Vaulx Hill Cemetery (Plot III, Row B, Grave No. 8), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 60 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Patrick and Agnes O'BRIEN, Queen Street, Alberton, South Australia |
| Family/military connections | Brothers: No.2467 Lance Corporal James Daniel O'BRIEN, 48th Bn, killed in action, 11 April 1917; 352 Pte Thomas Joseph O'BRIEN, 52nd Bn, died of wounds, 7 June 1917; Able Seaman David L. O'BRIEN (b. Alberton, 4 April 1896; enlisted RAN, 1913; emb. at declaration of war, 4 August 1914; war service: HMAS 'Australia', New Guinea, Samoa, North Sea [1915-17]; discharged, December 1917). |
| Other details | War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, France, Belgium. Killed leading his men at Louerval. His mother received the following letter (extract) from Col. S. Price Weir: 'I find that your late son, Lt. W. O'Brien, took part in the fighting on Gallipoli, Pozieres (1916), Le Barque and Louerval. For about 12 months before Will was given his commission, he was my orderly-room sergeant. He was a beautiful penman and very accurate in all his returns; always cheerful and industrious.' |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
