O'RIELY, John Michael
| Service Number: | QX18934 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 December 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Forest Hill, Queensland, Australia, 22 December 1903 |
| Home Town: | Mackay, Mackay, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Cane Cutter |
| Died: | Queensland, Australia, 14 January 1957, aged 53 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Marian Residents of Marian District Who Answered the Call 1939-1945 War |
World War 2 Service
| 18 Dec 1941: | Involvement QX18934 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Dec 1941: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Gunner, QX18934, Enlisted in Mackay 18 Dec 1941. Gunner for 141 Australian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery. | |
| 18 Dec 1941: | Enlisted | |
| 18 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, QX18934 | |
| 7 Nov 1945: | Discharged | |
| 7 Nov 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, QX18934 |
Brief on John Michael O'Riely
QX19834 GUNNER John Michael O'RIELY enlisted on 9/12/1941 in Mackay, Queensland, at the age of 37 years and 11 months. He listed his place of birth as Forest Hill, QLD and his occupation as canecutter. He was a single man.
J.M. O'Riely was stationed in Darwin from 20/6/1942 - 4/8/1943 - a period during which Darwin was heavily bombed.
Following this, and some illness in Australia, Gunner O'Riely disembarked HMAS Katoomba in New Guinea on 24/4/1945. He possibly saw action at both Bougainville and New Britain, New Guinea, prior to suffering a coronary thrombosis on 25/7/1945. He was evacuated back to Townsville on 28/8/1945, and discharged as medically unfit on 22/12/1945.
Gunner O'Riely was awarded the 1939/45 Star, The Pacific Star, The Defence Medal, and the War Medal.
Submitted 10 April 2026 by Diann Ru
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