John Francis Joseph O'connor 224

SAPPER JOHN FRANCIS JOSEPH O’CONNOR

224 – 1st Tunnelling Company

Mount Leyshon near Charters Towers, Queensland was the birthplace of John Francis Joseph O’Connor on January 26, 1893.

Joining the workforce under Mr W. Latham, Blacksmith, Charters Towers he served a two year Blacksmithing apprenticeship. His occupation was a Miner when he enlisted in Townsville, Qld on November 1, 1915 at 22½ years of age.

Along with other volunteers leaving on Saturday October 30, 1915 he assembled for the civic farewell which was recorded in

Passing the medical test in Townsville, Qld his Attestation Papers disclose he was 171 cms (5ft 7¼ins) tall, weighed 60.4kgs (133lbs) and had a chest measurement of 80-85cms (32-34½ins). His complexion was dark with brown eyes and dark brown hair.

He was of the Roman Catholic faith and nominated his mother Mrs Julia O’Connor residing at Millchester, Charters Towers, Qld as his next-of-kin.

The Northern Miner on Monday November 1, 1915:

After arriving at Enoggera Camp, Brisbane, Qld he was soon transferred to the Mining Corps at Casula, near Liverpool, N.S.W. for training. Allocated the Regimental number 224 and the rank of Sapper he was assigned to the No 1 Company of the Corps.

The Mining Corps departed Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney, N.S.W. on February 20, 1916 on transport HMAT A38 SS Ulysses. The voyage sailed via Melbourne, Victoria and then Fremantle, W.A. where the transport hit an uncharted rock as it navigated out of the harbour, which delayed their departure until April 1st, 1916.

Sapper O’Connor failed to re-embark on the Ulysses and was transferred to 17th Reinforcements to the 16th Battalion and re-assigned with their Unit number 5476 embarking on board the troopship Aeneas on April 17, 1916.

It seems Sapper O’Connor rejoined the Corps at Alexandria where the troops were transhipped to B.1 Ansonia disembarking at Marseilles, France on May 5, 1916. They were detrained to Hazebrouck arriving three days later.

The Corps was prepared for duty,but the British required several areasof mining warfare

and was redesignated into three Tunnelling Companies and dispersed where required. He was detailed to the 1st Tunnelling Company.

On May 20, 1916 was admitted to the 6 Field Ambulance, Erquinghem with Renal Calculus and transferred to 8 Casualty Clearing Station, Baillieu. The next day was taken to No 2 C. General Hospital, Etaples and admitted with Renal Colic from Convoy.

By May 27 had developed to Nephritis (Inflammation of Kidneys) and was invalided from Calais on the Hospital Ship Cambria to England being admitted to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex.

A letter dated July 22, 1916 was sent to Base Records by Kate Rennell of G.P.O. Perth, W.A. asking for his correct address and also Gunner W.G. Revell. O’Connor’s address was given but Revell was still in Camp at Maribynong, Vic because he did not embark.

To convalesce from Renal Colic and Haemorrhoids he transferred to the Woodcote Park Military Convalescence Hospital, Epsom on August 17, 1916.

Discharged and taken on strength to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs on September 12 then to Furlough the following day. Reported back to No 3 Command Depot, D Camp, Bovington, Woolwich on October 6, being placed the day after in Class B.I.A.

Marched out to No 4 Command Depot, Wareham on November 3, 1916. On December 10 he was not present at a Wareham Parade.

Offence:

Spr Absent from Parade

1.30 p.m. 10/12/16

Awarded 5 days C.C. by

2/Lt W.F. Leysmith.

On February 21, 1917 marched in to Drafting Depot, Perham Downs, Tidworth remaining until May 9, 1917 when he proceeded overseas to France via Folkstone to the Aust. General Base Depot before rejoining his unit in the field on May 17, 1917.

Another misdemeanour occurred on July 20, 1917 in the field while on active service at the 2nd Army Rest Camp.

Offence: A.W.L. from 8.30 p.m. 20/7/17 till 9.30 p.m. 20/7/17

Award: 3 days F.P. No 2.

On September 11, 1917 Sapper O’Connor was wounded in action – gassed by shell and admitted to the 56 General Hospital two days later. He was invalided to England on the Hospital Ship Jan Breydal on September 22 and admitted to the Birmingham War Hospital, Northfield diagnosed as gassed.

His Mother received the following telegram:

Followed by another telegram a few weeks later:

His name was listed in the 340th Casualty List published in the:

He convalesced at the 3 Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford from October 12 until November 9, 1917 then he was discharged to Furlough. He marched in from London Headquarters to the No.2 Command Depot, Weymouth on November 23.

The HT Balmoral Castle departing on February 2, 1918 was to convey him home to Sydney, N.S.W. then travel overland to Queensland for discharge as Medically Unfit from the 6 Aust. General Hospital, Brisbane, Qld. His mother was notified on February 20, 1918 of his impending return.

The ship docked at Adelaide, S.A. with Sapper O’Connor again missing embarkation on March 25, 1918. His Offence in the 4th Military District (S.A.) saw him remanded to A. Provost Marshall and sent under G.M.P. Escort to disembark in the 2nd M.D. (N.S.W.) arriving in Brisbane at 7 p.m. on March 30, 1918. Expenses incurred from Adelaide to Brisbane and return for the Escort amounted to $13.80 (£6-18-0).

He was discharged Medically Unfit (Renal Colic) in the 1st M.D. (Qld) on June 4, 1918.

He married on 27 September, 1918 to Susanna (Nellie) Towers in Ayr, Qld where they continued to reside. His occupation was pound-keeper and later Bailiff.

Sapper John Francis Joseph O’Connor 224 1st Tunnelling Company for service to his country received the British War Medal (12190) and the Victory Medal (12031).

A Statement of Service was forwarded to the Repatriation Department on April 11, 1935.

Mrs Nellie O’Connor died about 14 March 1947.

A Memorandum dated December 15, 1947 requested for Civil Proceedings in Queensland a Confidential Certification of Service which was dated December 22, 1947.

In 1949 he was residing at 74 Paddington Street, Waterloo with no occupation listed and in 1954 was at 811 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo working as a packer.

J.F.J. O’Connor applied by mail and Statutory Declaration for replacement of his Returned from Active Service Badge (32968) which he declared was lost by falling off his coat at Redfern, Sydney on October 18, 1961. A replacement R.A.S. Badge (C13591) was sent to his address at 24 Wellington Street, Waterloo, N.S.W.

John Francis Joseph O’Connor passed away on 8 September, 1982 aged 89 years in Brisbane, Qld. No notices were published.

His name is commemorated on the Columbarium Wall at Mt Thompson Crematorium, Brisbane.