O'CONNOR, Austin James
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 July 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 7th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Albert Park, Victoria, Australia , 15 August 1891 |
| Home Town: | Albert Park, Port Phillip, Victoria |
| Schooling: | St Francis School, Christian Brothers College South Melbourne & Melbourne University |
| Occupation: | Commercial Traveller |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Belgium, 24 September 1917, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery Plot 25, Row F, Grave 10 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, South Melbourne Great War Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Jul 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Sep 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 7th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Sep 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Melbourne | |
| 29 Jun 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Officer, 7th Infantry Battalion, Menin Road, Shell wound (left side, arm and left leg) | |
| 24 Sep 1917: | Involvement Lieutenant, 7th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 7 Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1917-09-24 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Austin was born on 15th August, 1891 in Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria as Austin Albert James O'CONNOR
His parents were James Austin O'CONNOR and Ann Andrew ESKDALE - his mother Ann died in 1902 aged 30 years
He had served for three & a half years with the Senior Cadets before he enlisted on 26th July, 1916 - he was then a 2nd Lieutenant with the 7th Infantry Battalion and embarked on 11th September, 1916 from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides with the 20th Reinforcements
He was promoted to Lieutenant on 29th June, 1917
Austin was wounded on 20th June, 1917 & transported to the 6th field ambulance station and wounded again on 20th September, 1917 in Polygon Wood with gunshot wounds to his left side, arm & left leg and died of his wounds at the 17th Casualty Clearing Station, Belgium
He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Plot 25, Row F, Grave 10
Austins name is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial - he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
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The Advocate Sat. 27th October, 1917
Lieutenant A. J. O'CONNOR
The sad news has been received by Mr. James O'Connor of 22 Page St. Albert Park and of Little Collins St. that his only son, Lieutenant Austin James O'Connor, died of wounds in France on Sept. 24th, 1917. He enlisted for active service shortly after the war broke out, being attached to the 7th Battalion AIF. The deceased officer was educated at St Francis School & the Christian Brothers College, Park St , South Melbourne. At the time of enlistment he was in the employment of Messrs. Sargood Bros whre he was highly thought of
The young lieutentant was a good all round athlete and held the Sargood Bros. Championship for two years. He won gold, silver & bronze medals in the Anzac sports held in France & these medals were received here by his father. He was very popular with his men and brother officers and Mr. O'Connor & the deceased two sisters, Misses May & Eileen have received numberous expressions of regret at the severe loss they have sustained. R.I.P
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The Age Newspaper , 24th Sept 1919
IN MEMORIAM - On Active Service
O'CONNOR - In sad and loving memory of our dear brother, Lieutenant Austin James O'Connor (Mick) 7th Battalion, died of wounds on 24th Sept 1917 received at Polygon Wood on the 20th, only son of James O'Connor and loving brother of May & Eileen,
REST IN PEACE
"No one knows the silent heartache - only those who can tell
who have lost their best and dearest - without a last farewell"
Inserted by his loving sisters, May & Eileen
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