James Roy O'Brien

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 09/01/2017 - 15:28

First Name:

James

Middle Name:

Roy

Last Name:

O'Brien

Mother's Name:

Elizabeth O'Brien nee Allen

Father's Name:

Henry O'Brien

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, November 2, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

5th Light Horse Regiment

Service:

Cavalry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Friday, October 31, 1969

Details:

James O'Brien (Service No 2477) was born in Gerringong, N.S.W. in 1895.

James enlisted in Lismore, N.S.W. and was the first of three brothers to enlist. At enlistment he was single, 20 years old, employed as a butcher, and despite enlisting so far from home, lived in Wollongong, N.S.W. James' father, who also lived in Wollongong, was listed as his next of kin.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A10 Karoo with 5th Light Horse Regiment, 17th Reinforcements on 5th May 1916. After arriving in Egypt James joined the 5th Light Horse on 12th August 1916. He saw service in Egypt and the Middle East and was posted to the Desert Column on 18th June 1917.

After some leave in England James returned to Australia in October 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on 13th November 1919.

In 1932 he married Grace Wyman in Wollongong.

James's brothers George and John also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, O'BRIEN JAMES ROY