James Matthew O'BRIEN MM

O'BRIEN, James Matthew

    Service Numbers: 808, 1715
    Enlisted: 9 November 1914, Enlisted at Liverpool, NSW
    Last Rank: Bombardier
    Last Unit: 10th Field Artillery Brigade
    Born: Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia, 11 February 1888
    Home Town: Baradine, Warrumbungle Shire, New South Wales
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Commercial Traveller
    Died: Yass, New South Wales, Australia, 25 June 1961, aged 73 years, cause of death not yet discovered
    Cemetery: Wagga Wagga General (Monumental) Cemetery
    Roman Catholic area, Section 2B, Row H1, Grave 29
    Memorials:
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    World War 1 Service

    9 Nov 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 808, 6th Light Horse Regiment, Enlisted at Liverpool, NSW
    6 Feb 1915: Discharged AIF WW1, Trooper, 808, 6th Light Horse Regiment, Discharged at the 2nd Military District
    6 Feb 1915: Embarked Private, 808, 6th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Clan MacCorquodale, Sydney
    6 Feb 1915: Involvement Private, 808, 6th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Clan MacCorquodale embarkation_ship_number: A6 public_note: ''
    22 Apr 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1715, 7th Light Horse Regiment, Enlisted at Liverpool, NSW
    2 Nov 1915: Involvement Private, 1715, 7th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: ''
    2 Nov 1915: Embarked Private, 1715, 7th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Euripides, Sydney
    1 Apr 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Gunner, 10th Field Artillery Brigade , From 7th Light Horse Regiment
    14 Jun 1917: Honoured Military Medal, Reads: On the 13 May 1917 during the operations against the Hindenburg Line, a dug-out used as the Signal Office of the Infantry Brigade holding the section of the line to the East of Bullecourt, was blown in by a direct hit, killing all personnel and destroying instruments - thereby completely severing all communications. Gunner O'Brien (who is a Battery linesman), with Sergeant Phibbs at once volunteered to proceed to the spot and made every endeavour to restore communication. Enemy shelling at the time was extremely intense, many men becoming casualties. This man has on previous occasions been brought to notice for his splendid work and devotion to duty during the Somme operations. Awarded 30 June 1917
    16 Aug 1917: Transferred AIF WW1, Gunner, 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, From 10th Field Artillery Brigade
    3 Aug 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Bombardier, 1715, 10th Field Artillery Brigade , Discharged at the 2nd Military District

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    Biography contributed by Carol Foster

    Son of Robert O'Brien and Margaret O'Brien C/- J. C. Massman, Baradine, NSW

    Commenced return to Australia on 1 May 1919 aboard HT China disembarking on 11 June 1919

    Medals: Military Medal, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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