William O'BRIEN

Regimental number351
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationPacker
AddressFranklin Street, West Adelaide, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinMother, Mrs Hanorah O'Brien, Franklin Street, West Adelaide, South Australia
Enlistment date13 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name43rd Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/60/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A19 Afric on 9 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll43rd Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 8 July 1918

FateReturned to Australia 2 January 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Garden of Remembrance, South Australia
Medals

Military Medal

'On the 4th July, 1918, during the attack near HAMEL, Private William O'BRIEN was in charge of the bombing section of his Platoon. On the Platoon being hung up by machine gun fire, O'BRIEN worked his section round the flank of the enemy post and succeeded in killing the garrison, thus enabling his Platoon to continue their advance. He showed conspicuous gallantry and was very cool under the most trying circumstances.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death18 June 1986
Age at death88