Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

His older brother, 344 Pte William Patrick O’Brien, 24th Battalion AIF, was killed in action 16 September 1915.

James was a boarder at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat, with his brother William Patrick (SPC 1906).

Second Lieutenant O'Brien, a tailor from Colac West, Victoria prior to enlistment, embarked with B Company with the rank of Private during May 1915. In France, O’Brien was wounded in action on 26 August 1916, sustaining a gunshot wound to his left forearm. He spent several months in Ireland being treated. He joined his unit again during March 1917.

After promotion to Second Lieutenant, he was killed in action on 21 March 1918. The statement of the Commanding Officer noted –

 ‘… Killed at about 3.20 on the 22 March 1918. Wounded and partially buried by a minenwerfer [mine launcher short range mortar] explosion and killed by a revolver bullet from a German raider …’

The following article appeared in the Melbourne during 1918, under the heading ‘LIEUT. J. O'BRIEN.’

“Mr. and Mrs. James O'Brien and family, of Colac West, were notified on April 3rd by the Very Rev. Father Kennelly, that their son, Lieutenant James O'Brien, had made the supreme sacrifice in France. This is the second son the parents have lost, the eldest boy, Willie, having been killed on Gallipoli. It would have been difficult to meet two finer Catholic young men. The late Lieutenant O'Brien only celebrated his 21st birthday last July, and was of exceptional promise. By ability and bravery on the field, he gradually rose from the ranks, and only a few weeks ago his parents learnt that he had gained a lieutenancy. He enlisted early in 1915, and in May of the same year he sailed from Australia. In the fighting- on Gallipoli, he was injured through the bursting of a shell, but he remained there until the evacuation. He was two years in France, and was wounded in the fighting at Pozieres. A first-class vocalist, he was of great assistance as _a member of the Colac Ave Maria branch.”