Let's start with Joseph Patrick O'Connor
20th July 1885
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12th February 1969
Regiment Number 77
Enlisted 18th September 1914
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Discharged 18th April 2016
Joseph O'Connor
Joseph O’Connor who was born on 20th July 1885 in Horsham, Victoria. Not much is known of his life prior to enlisting in the Army except his enlistment form lists him as an apprentice carpenter in his parents business which was in Kilmore, Victoria
Joe enlisted on the 18th September 1914 at the age of 26 & 4 months in Sydney NSW. (as noted on the enlistment)
On the 21st December 1914 he was assigned to “A” Company.
He was assigned Regiment number 77 which were used prior to the army numbers that was introduced in 1921.
The 13th Battalion left Albany WA in December 1914 to arrive in Egypt in February 1915 refer Article prior to participating in their first conflict the landing at Anzac Cove on the evening of April 25th 1915 refer article
A week later on 2nd May 1915, whilst in conflict, he was shot in the chest and lungs and evacuated on the 3rd May on board HS Gascon back to No 15 General Hospital Alexandria. On May 13th he was transferred back to England to the Hospital in Manchester on board HS Nevasa. He was later moved to the Woodcote Park Military Convalescent Hospital in Epsom Surrey. He remained in England until the 7th November 1915. He was returned to Melbourne, Australia on board HT Runic on or about 10th February 1916.
He was declared medically unfit to return to duty and discharged on 18th April 19
Photos taken from the convalescent stay in England
On his return to Australia he made his final journey to Wagga Wagga NSW where he married Martha Lillian Doolan in 1923 and together they had a family of 5 Joe, Frank, Les, Marie & Merv.
Joe also made a significant contribution to the community of Wagga Wagga, improving the City for the current inhabitants and the generations that were to follow. His achievements included:
- Foundation member and original committee member of the Wagga Diggers Race Club which took over the running of the Wagga Cup during the war. It continued for sometime after the war with proceeds going to the RSL building fund – now the Wagga RSL Club
- Elected 1st Life Member of the Wagga RSL Club
- First President of the Turvey Park Australian Rules Club controlling its destinies in the early days with the Central Riverina League. Remained active for many years and was elected Life Member.
- Committeeman of the original Wagga Gift carnival when it was promoted at the Wagga Showgrounds with interest and support also for the Gymkhana & Sports Club