Martin (Macca) O'CONNOR

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:
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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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Biography 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!).

 

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