Category: PersonalFamily

Let’s start with Joe Snr



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 1914

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

HS Gascon
HS Nevasa
HT Runic
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
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Let me tell you about Joe

Let me tell you about

Joseph Jeremiah O'Connor

14th May 1924
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3rd March 2006

Army Number NX169714
Enlisted 7th July 1942
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Discharged 11th July 1946

After enlistment Joe was initially assigned to the 14th Infantry Brigade and sent to Bathurst on 13th July 1942 where he completed
Early training included Small Arms course in September’42 Q90% &
Junior Leaders course in November/December Q65%

He was transferred to the AIF and allotted Army Number on 27th April 1943 & on 19th May 1943 sent to Jungle Warfare Training Camp Canungra. Assigned to the 2/31st Battalion 25th Brigade 7th Division on 19th July 1943 (The members of the 2/31st Battalion had returned to Australia in January of 1943 – only 55 men were fit for duty after campaigns in Kokoda, Gorari & Gona.)

He returned with the 2/31st to New Guinea from 23rd July 1943 to 31st January 1944  where they saw service in the Salamaua – Lae campagn  & Finisterre Range campaign Returning to Australia on 27th January 1944 on board the Kanimbla from Port Moresby arriving Townsville 31st January 1944 to prepare for the next phase of the war.

After a year training in the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland they embarked from Townsville on June 6th 1945 disembarking at Morotai on 15th June 1945  and embarking Morotai on 22nd June 1945 before participating in the landing at Balikpapan with the rest of the 7th Division on July 2nd 1945. The Battalion had been involved in the fighting until July 26th when as a result of high casualities (44 killed and 134 wounded) they were moved to the rear.

Following the end of the War, the Battalion was stationed around Bandjermasin (the capital of Dutch Borneo) for the surrender of the Japanese. Joe did a report on this surrender for his home town of Wagga Wagga -see below.

The final trip home was on 25th January 1946 on board HMAS Kinimbla arriving Brisbane on 4th February 1946. The Battalion was disbanded the following month. Joe was initially transferred for reposting before being discharged on 11th July 1946

Reference Joe’s Service Records  plus On-Line Battalion Report

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