Daniel Joseph O'Connor

Daniel O'Connor (Service No 6852) was born in Gunnedah, N.S.W. around 1898. 

Daniel first enlisted at Picton, N.S.W. on 30th October 1915, but was discharged on 4th January 1916 due to not becoming an efficient soldier. This was probably due to his being well under age and wanting to join his brother James who had enlisted in 1914.

Daniel finally enlisted in September 1916 when he stated that he 19 years old, single, a labourer, and lIved at Otford, N.S.W., however it appears Damiel was more likely only 17 at the time.

He embarked from Sydney on board SS Port Nicholson with 22nd Reinforcements, 13th Battalion, on 8th November 1916.  When the ship arrived in Capetown on 5th December 1916 Daniel missed the ship and was declared AWOL.  Arrested, he was re-embarked on HMAT Suevic on 4th January 1917. 

He finally arrived in England on 30th January 1917 and joined the 13th Battalion in France on 5th March 1917.

The 13th Battalion was involved in the battle for Bullecourt, and Daniel was killed on 11th April 1917 during this battle, tragically two days after his brother James (Service No 359) was killed.  Daniel was 18 years old.

There is no known grave for Daniel; he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux, France.