Brian Musgrove O'CONNOR

Regimental number1203
Place of birthDublin Ireland
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationStockman
AddressSeverth Street, Weston, New South Wales
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation29
Next of kinWife, Mrs Abigal Bell O'Connor, c/o Mrs Baldson, 7th Street, Weston, New South Wales
Enlistment date13 December 1915
Rank on enlistmentSergeant
Unit name35th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/52/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on 1 May 1916
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll35th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: "21 March 1917

Military Cross


Recommendation date: 10 October 1918"

FateEffective abroad (still overseas)
Medals

Military Medal

'At ARMENTIERES after the return of the 11th Australian Infantry Brigade raiding party on night of 13th/14th March, 1917, this N.C.O. learnt that Lieutenant PORTER, 44th Battalion, was lying wounded close to the enemy's wire. He promptly went out into No Man's Land and with the help of No. 1931, Private R.L. ROSS, succeeded, though under heavy machine gun fire, in bringing in the wounded Officer. Although greatly exhausted owing to the bad condition of the ground, Sergeant O'CONNOR at once returned into No Man's Land and brought in other wounded and dead. On the night of 14th/15th March, 1917, Sergeant O'CONNOR and No. 1056 Private W.H. AULD, were on scouting duty near the enemy wire, when Private AULD was wounded and unable to walk. Sergeant O'CONNOR carried him back over No Man's Land to our trenches under heavy machine gun fire. On night of 15th/16th March, 1917, Sergeant O'CONNOR again went over to the enemy wire and brought back the dead body of one of the 11th Brigade Raiding Party. This Sergeant has been Scout Sergeant since the Battalion first went into the line in December, 1916, and has been consistently courageous. His example and devotion to duty has had a splendid affect on the men in the Battalion.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 140
Date: 27 August 1917

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty east of Dempire on 29th September 1918. He pushed forward under machine gun fire with four scouts to reconnoitre, moved along the front of another brigade, and located their line. Though two of his scouts were killed he sent back the two remaining scouts with most valuable information, and carried out a reconnaissance which was of great value to his battalion.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 10
Date: 29 January 1920

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal