William Patrick O’Brien

O’BRIEN, William Patrick- – – – SPC 1906

DoB:- – June 1887, Colac, VIC

Father:- – James O’Brien

Mother:- – Johanna, nee Quinn

William was the brother of James O’Brien (SPC 1912-1914). James also enlisted and was killed in action in 1918 in Belgium.

Service No:- 344

Rank:- – Private

Unit:- – 24th Battalion

William Patrick O’Brien enlisted on 15 March, 1915. He was 27 years and nine months old, five feet, nine and a half inches tall, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was a single man who worked as a railway fireman.

William embarked from Melbourne aboard the Euripides on 10 May 1915, en route to the Gallipoli Peninsula. He was killed in action on 16 September 1915 as a result of a shrapnel wound to his head. Private William Patrick O’Brien is remembered at Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli.

William’s effects were returned to his father -“ a disc, cards, two knives, and a rosary.