Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Michael Richard O'Connell was born 14 November 1917 in North Adelaide . The youngest son of Michael & Florence O'Connell (nee Paul) with 2 older brothers & 2 children who died in infancy.
Mick began school in Coffin Bay & then transferred to Tumby Bay School when the family moved to Yallunda station, which was owned by the Mortlock Family. He left school at Grade 7 after gaining his Qualifying Certificate.
He worked in the Tumby Bay Post Office until he was 16 . Then did some farm work & wheat lumping. He was later employed by the Port Lincoln Council & the the Tumby Bay Council although he listed his occupation as labourer & wheat carter employed by W. Butterfield & W.A. Carr. Also worked for his uncle --Arthur Paul on the farm just out of Tumby Bay where he lived --married Sylvia Winckel.

On December 31, 1941, he enlisted in the Army-( C.M.F. #S57109) & transferred to 2/4 A.I.F.--#SX25230 & was posted to Puckapunyal, Victoria initially to 9 Australian Motor Co. on 18 July 1942.
He then transferred to 2/4 A.I.F Royal Australian Artillery on 10 October 1942 & was posted to Gympie at the rank of Gunner.
He undertook training there for some months before embarking for New Guinea.
His unit was then equipped with 25 pounder guns & was one of the few airmobile artillery units in New Guinea.
They fought along the Kokada Trail at Nadzab, at Dumpu and along the coast to Lae. His rank was now Gr 2 Signaller.
His unit then returned to Australia before embarking on the General Anderson for Moratoi, where he undertook training for amphibious landings.
On July 1 1945 he embarked on Landing Craft Motorised (L.C.M.) for the amphibious landing at Balikpapan (Borneo).
He had measles in 1942, Malaria in 1943, Was wounded in 1944. The malaria followed him into civilian life.
He was discharged in 1946 and returned to Tumby Bay.
His records show he was a Private, Trooper, Signaller Grade 2, & Gunner. In 2/4, 2/6 A.G.H, 2/6 Fd Rgt RO, 2/12, A.I.F.,& 2/46.
He worked as a linesman for the P.M.G. in Tumby Bay & then as a truck Driver for Ron Carter transport until the business was sold. He then worked for his brother at Whyalla's Norrie Avenue Service Station.
After being diagnosed with a heart condition, he took a job as Caretaker/Cleaner at the Tumby Bay Memorial Hall where he worked until his death.

Mick was a great sportsman. From horse riding in his youth to Australian Rules Football where he played for Tumby Bay & became a Life Member of that club.
He played Cricket for Tumby Bay's Ramblers Cricket Club where he was secretary for many years and also President for a term.He enjoyed Association cricket & attended the Country Cricket Carnival in Adelaide.
He was also keen on table tennis, billiards, darts, golf & was a keen rifle shooter & hunter.
He was secretary of the Tumby Bay Jockey & Turf Club for many years.
He also served as President, Vice President and secretary to the Tumby Bay R.S.L Club and was Vice President when the Club house was opened in 1953.
Always a loyal Member attending the Anzac March in Adelaide whenever possible & also the local celebrations. He was keen on Duck Hunting & Spotlighting but gave that up after an accident where he was shot in the right arm. This necessitated a long stay in Adelaide for operations and skin grafts. He lost the use of 2 fingers on his right hand but trained himself to write with his left hand-- his signature being very close to his original one. Has always played Golf left-handed, so that was no worries!! He made himself an arm guard to wear while playing cricket.

He contracted a heart condition which meant he should have given up work but continued until he died suddenly while at work on 5 February 1964 aged 46 years leaving his wife Sylvia ( still living at the time of writing this--aged 94 years 6 mos), children Patricia, Geoffrey & Faye and 2 grandsons.

Mick was the first person to have his cortege leave from the "new" RSL building after his funeral service.
He is buried at Tumby Bay.


Patricia Young (daughter) November 2014)