O'CONNOR, Martin
| Service Numbers: | NX113946, N89161 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 August 1942, Belmore, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Searchlight Batteries /Companies |
| Born: | Toowoomba, Queensland, 27 February 1920 |
| Home Town: | Rosebery, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Printer's labourer |
| Died: | Emphysema, Sydney, New South Wales, 8 September 1974, aged 54 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 19 Aug 1942: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, NX113946, Belmore, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Aug 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX113946 | |
| 20 Aug 1942: | Involvement Gunner, NX113946, 2nd/2nd Field Company / Squadron RAE | |
| 20 Aug 1942: | Involvement N89161 | |
| 30 May 1946: | Discharged Gunner, NX113946, Searchlight Batteries /Companies | |
| 30 May 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX113946 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Karen O'Connor
Martin (Mac or Macca) O'Connor was my father, born in Toowoomba and he was fostered at birth to the McFarland family in Sydney. His mother was Annie O'Connor and his father Jack McAdam. They never married.
Martin grew up as one of seven children in Rosebery, Sydney and was apprenticed at Printers Pty Ltd in Sydney. He played AFL as a rover before the war even though he was relatively short.
He served in PNG on the searchlights but only ever spoke about stealing chickens from the "Yanks" as they were better fed.
From his service record it shows that he caught malaria
He met my mother in 1947. They married. had two children and moved to the new War Service Estate in West Pymble in 1957. I still remember cracker night with one of the neighbours running around with a sheet and gas mask.
My parents divorced in 1971 and Dad died in 1974.
He loved his roll your own cigarettes, his football (he supported the Rabbitohs for many years) and his family (in that order!).