Joseph Patrick O'CONNELL MM

O'CONNELL, Joseph Patrick

    Service Number: 608
    Enlisted: 30 September 1914, Enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria
    Last Rank: Sapper
    Last Unit: 5th Divisional Signal Company
    Born: South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, 1888
    Home Town: Prahran, Stonnington, Victoria
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Labourer
    Died: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 20 February 1951, cause of death not yet discovered
    Cemetery: South Brisbane Cemetery, Queensland
    Grave 1.
    Memorials:
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    World War 1 Service

    30 Sep 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Sapper, 608, 3rd Light Horse Brigade Signal Troop, Enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria
    1 Feb 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Sapper, 608, 3rd Light Horse Brigade Signal Troop, Embarked HMAT Chilka at Melbourne, Victoria
    20 Aug 1917: Transferred AIF WW1, Sapper, 5th Divisional Signal Company, From 3rd Light Horse Brigade Signal Troop
    6 Aug 1918: Honoured Military Medal, For courage and devotion to duty. They (J.P. O'Connell and J. Semple are members of No. 3 Section of this Company attached to 14th Australian Infantry Brigade. During successful operations forward of Heilly on night of 28th/29th July 1918, they performed excellent work under heavy fire from the enemy, in establishing and maintaining telephone communications in the forward area. From 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. on the 28th July the worked consistently and hard in establishing communications, and from 12.30 a.m. until 6 a.m. on the 29th July in maintaining same. They were responsible for the lines to the Advanced Brigade position and the flanks, and during the latter period mentioned, bravely carried out their duties under heavy enemy artillery fire. When our offensive action had ceased, Sapper O'Connell did remarkable work and controlled the linesmen forward of Battalions. He was greatly assisted by Sapper Semple. It was largely due to the bravery and devotion to duty of these men that almost continuous communication was maintained throughout the operations and subsequently that normal communications were established. Commonwealth Gazette 36 on 14 March 1919
    5 Apr 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Sapper, 608, 5th Divisional Signal Company, Discharged at the 3rd Military District
    Date unknown: Embarked Sapper, 608, 3rd Light Horse Brigade Signal Troop
    Date unknown: Involvement Sapper, 608, 3rd Light Horse Brigade Signal Troop, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: '' embarkation_ship: '' embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: ''

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    Biography contributed by Carol Foster

    Son of Jeremiah O'Connell and Hanorah (Nora) Mary O'Connell nee O'Connor of Chapel Street, Prahran, Victoria.

    Commenced return to Australia on 14 December 1918 aboard HT Burma disembarking on 29 January  1919.dal

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

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