Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Cornelius Patrick Shea was born in 1890 in Crystal Brook, South Australia. Before enlisting into the war, Shea worked as a locomotive firefighter. He successfully enlisted on the 29th of June 1915 at the age of 24 years and 8 months. As he was unmarried, his next of kin was his mother, Agnes Shea. Shea enlisted as a Private and continued with this rank until he joined the 50th Battalion. His service number was 3202.

On the 26th of August 1915 Cornelius Patrick Shea was embarked at Adelaide on His Majesty’s Australian Hospital Ship, “Morea”. On 25th of November 1915, Shea was taken on strength in Mudros for reinforcements. Then on the 29th of December 1915 he was disembarked in Alexandria. The 9th of January 1916 Shea was transferred to the 3rd Brigade Headquarters. 22nd of January 1916 he was transferred into the 10th Battalion. On the 26th of February 1916 he was transferred from the 10th Battalion to the 50th Battalion. Shea then went on to join the British Expeditionary Force on the 5th of June 1916. Then on the 20th of June 1916 he was debited for loss of clothing. Shea was then appointed to Lance Corporal on the 16th of July 1916. He was admitted to the 2nd Birmingham War Hospital on the 10th of August 1916 due to a wound to his thigh. At the time the 10th Battalion was fighting at Mouquet Farm. He was transferred and embarked for England on the 19th August 1916 and was admitted to Birmingham War Hospital the next day. After he recovered, he took leave from 28th Sept – 16th October, reporting back to Wareham. Next he was then off to Parham Downs to proceed overseas and rejoined his unit in the field 28th January 1917.

On the 2nd of April 1917 Cornelius Patrick Shea was killed in action. A witness statement states ‘He was in B Co. and came from South Australia. And was a labourer. He was killed by a shell at Zonnebeke in our trenches in the early morning. I do not know where he is buried. Informant Pte. (private) W.J. Axtell, 1628”. Another eyewitness states “He was in B. Co. and Woodgate in D.Co. XIV.Pltn. and they were both killed at Noreuil on April 2nd, 1917. I am almost sure that they are buried in the Military Cemetery at Noreuil, and that there are crosses on the graves. It. C.J. Shea, brother to C.P. Shea, now with the Battalion, will be able to say definitely. Informant: Pt. C.D. Frsnois, 4175”. Another statement from his death reads “Of DB company. On April 2nd, 1917, at Noreuil during our attack killed outright. He was hit in the head by piece of shell. I saw his body lying on the field in No Man’s Land. We were taken prisoners of War about ½ hour later. Informant – Pte. G.C. Jacob, 2197, 50th Battalion”. The day Shea unfortunately passed the 50th Battalion were planning an attack. The unit diary recording, “At 5.15 am the tape was laid out on the jumping off time shortly after midnight and company commenced to move from their field position at 2.30 am. There was no rain or humidity the weather was cold and fine. The attack though met by strong opposition was quite successful all objectives were gained and held.”