Actions

Difference between revisions of "Patrick Joseph O'Brien"

From Our Contribution

(War Service)
 
Line 67: Line 67:
 
==War Service==
 
==War Service==
 
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 1 Apr 1916, and on 17 Apr 1916 he was allocated to the 18th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion.  On 14 Aug 1917 this changed to the 23rd draft for the 16th Battalion, and on 4 Sep 1916 to the 22nd draft for the 16th Battalion. Local training completed he embarked on [[HMAT A8 Argyllshire]] for England on 9 Nov 1916, disembarking in Devonport on 10 Jan 1917. On arrival in England he was sent to the [[4th Training Battalion]] at Codford, and here in February 1917 he was charged with 'Overstaying his leave from midnight 2 Feb until 7:00pm on 5 Feb 1917'. Placed in detention for 72 hours, he also forfeited 7 day's pay.  On 4 Mar 1917 he was admitted to the [[Codford]] hospital with influenza, and was released back to training on 12 Mar 1917.  On the 20th, just 8 days later he was off to [[Fargo Military Hospital]] with eye problems, but not before on 16 Mar 1917 being charged with 'Neglecting to obey an order' for which he received 2 day's Field Punishment No 2.  On 7 May 1917 he was charged with (1) being AWOL from 8:00am on 6 May 1917 until 9:00am on 7 May 1917; (2)Malingering.  For these errors he was awarded 7 days of Field Punishment No 2, the forfeiture of 9 day's pay, and a fine of £2/5/-.
 
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 1 Apr 1916, and on 17 Apr 1916 he was allocated to the 18th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion.  On 14 Aug 1917 this changed to the 23rd draft for the 16th Battalion, and on 4 Sep 1916 to the 22nd draft for the 16th Battalion. Local training completed he embarked on [[HMAT A8 Argyllshire]] for England on 9 Nov 1916, disembarking in Devonport on 10 Jan 1917. On arrival in England he was sent to the [[4th Training Battalion]] at Codford, and here in February 1917 he was charged with 'Overstaying his leave from midnight 2 Feb until 7:00pm on 5 Feb 1917'. Placed in detention for 72 hours, he also forfeited 7 day's pay.  On 4 Mar 1917 he was admitted to the [[Codford]] hospital with influenza, and was released back to training on 12 Mar 1917.  On the 20th, just 8 days later he was off to [[Fargo Military Hospital]] with eye problems, but not before on 16 Mar 1917 being charged with 'Neglecting to obey an order' for which he received 2 day's Field Punishment No 2.  On 7 May 1917 he was charged with (1) being AWOL from 8:00am on 6 May 1917 until 9:00am on 7 May 1917; (2)Malingering.  For these errors he was awarded 7 days of Field Punishment No 2, the forfeiture of 9 day's pay, and a fine of £2/5/-.
 +
  
 
So illness and a series of brushes with Military law had significantly delayed his joining his intended unit, the 16th Battalion. Patrick proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 9 Jul 1917, and he joined the [[16th Battalion]] on 27 Jul 1917.  Within 4 days Patrick was in hospital and on 10 Aug 1917 he was transferred from the 5th General Hospital to the Southern General Hospital in Portsmouth where he was admitted on 14 Aug 1917 with DDH (slight).  On 1 Oct 1917 he was admitted to the [[1st Australian Dermatological Hospital]] at Codford Hospital with Venereal Disease, and was not discharged until 26 Mar 1918 a total ineffective period of 177 days.  Barely had he been released than he was AWOL, being charged with being absent from the 1:45 pm parade, and then absent from the Doctor's ward rounds the same day.  Awarded 3 days Field Punishment No 2, and he also forfeited 4 day's pay. At Heytesbury on 1 Jun 1918, Patrick was in town after 9:30pm without a pass, contrary to AIF HQ Order 719. For this he forfeited 3 day's pay.  On 31 Aug 1918 he managed one more appearance before his Commanding Officer when he was charged with being AWOL from midnight 27 Aug 1918 until apprehended by Military Police at midnight on 29 Aug 1918.  This time he forfeited 6 day's pay.
 
So illness and a series of brushes with Military law had significantly delayed his joining his intended unit, the 16th Battalion. Patrick proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 9 Jul 1917, and he joined the [[16th Battalion]] on 27 Jul 1917.  Within 4 days Patrick was in hospital and on 10 Aug 1917 he was transferred from the 5th General Hospital to the Southern General Hospital in Portsmouth where he was admitted on 14 Aug 1917 with DDH (slight).  On 1 Oct 1917 he was admitted to the [[1st Australian Dermatological Hospital]] at Codford Hospital with Venereal Disease, and was not discharged until 26 Mar 1918 a total ineffective period of 177 days.  Barely had he been released than he was AWOL, being charged with being absent from the 1:45 pm parade, and then absent from the Doctor's ward rounds the same day.  Awarded 3 days Field Punishment No 2, and he also forfeited 4 day's pay. At Heytesbury on 1 Jun 1918, Patrick was in town after 9:30pm without a pass, contrary to AIF HQ Order 719. For this he forfeited 3 day's pay.  On 31 Aug 1918 he managed one more appearance before his Commanding Officer when he was charged with being AWOL from midnight 27 Aug 1918 until apprehended by Military Police at midnight on 29 Aug 1918.  This time he forfeited 6 day's pay.
 +
  
 
It is difficult to see that he was effective for any great amount of time.  During the short time that he was with the Battalion he worked as an assistant cook, due to limited physical capacity due to illnesses which included influenza and Venereal Disease.  Any exercise caused dizziness, and this was diagnosed as heart related. He was eventually returned to Australia on medical grounds, and was discharged by the 5th Military District on 9 Dec 1918.
 
It is difficult to see that he was effective for any great amount of time.  During the short time that he was with the Battalion he worked as an assistant cook, due to limited physical capacity due to illnesses which included influenza and Venereal Disease.  Any exercise caused dizziness, and this was diagnosed as heart related. He was eventually returned to Australia on medical grounds, and was discharged by the 5th Military District on 9 Dec 1918.

Latest revision as of 19:42, 17 September 2021

Patrick Joseph O'Brien
Unknown.png
Personal Information
Date of Birth c1873
Place of Birth Melbourne, Victoria
Death 30 Oct 1919
Place of Death Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 43 years old
Description 5'9" (1.75m) tall ; 150 lbs
68.039 kg
; ruddy complexion ; blue eyes ; red hair
Occupation Sawyer
Religion Roman Catholic
Address Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin Brother , Mr William O'Brien
Military Information
Reg Number 6806
Date of Enlistment 1 Apr 1916
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 16th Battalion, 22nd reinforcement / 4th Brigade, 4th Division
Date of Embarkation 9 Nov 1916 ‒ 10 Jan 1917
Ship Embarked On HMAT A8 Argyllshire
Date of Return 23 Sep 1918 ‒ 17 Nov 1918
Ship Returned On HMAT A54 Runic
Fate Returned to Australia
Monument Jarrahdale War Memorial
Jarrahdale Honour Roll
ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal



Pre War

A wood machinist as well as a sawyer, he worked for the Millars Timber and Trading Co. Had previously been rejected for military service due to defective vision.

War Service

Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 1 Apr 1916, and on 17 Apr 1916 he was allocated to the 18th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion. On 14 Aug 1917 this changed to the 23rd draft for the 16th Battalion, and on 4 Sep 1916 to the 22nd draft for the 16th Battalion. Local training completed he embarked on HMAT A8 Argyllshire for England on 9 Nov 1916, disembarking in Devonport on 10 Jan 1917. On arrival in England he was sent to the 4th Training Battalion at Codford, and here in February 1917 he was charged with 'Overstaying his leave from midnight 2 Feb until 7:00pm on 5 Feb 1917'. Placed in detention for 72 hours, he also forfeited 7 day's pay. On 4 Mar 1917 he was admitted to the Codford hospital with influenza, and was released back to training on 12 Mar 1917. On the 20th, just 8 days later he was off to Fargo Military Hospital with eye problems, but not before on 16 Mar 1917 being charged with 'Neglecting to obey an order' for which he received 2 day's Field Punishment No 2. On 7 May 1917 he was charged with (1) being AWOL from 8:00am on 6 May 1917 until 9:00am on 7 May 1917; (2)Malingering. For these errors he was awarded 7 days of Field Punishment No 2, the forfeiture of 9 day's pay, and a fine of £2/5/-.


So illness and a series of brushes with Military law had significantly delayed his joining his intended unit, the 16th Battalion. Patrick proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 9 Jul 1917, and he joined the 16th Battalion on 27 Jul 1917. Within 4 days Patrick was in hospital and on 10 Aug 1917 he was transferred from the 5th General Hospital to the Southern General Hospital in Portsmouth where he was admitted on 14 Aug 1917 with DDH (slight). On 1 Oct 1917 he was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Codford Hospital with Venereal Disease, and was not discharged until 26 Mar 1918 a total ineffective period of 177 days. Barely had he been released than he was AWOL, being charged with being absent from the 1:45 pm parade, and then absent from the Doctor's ward rounds the same day. Awarded 3 days Field Punishment No 2, and he also forfeited 4 day's pay. At Heytesbury on 1 Jun 1918, Patrick was in town after 9:30pm without a pass, contrary to AIF HQ Order 719. For this he forfeited 3 day's pay. On 31 Aug 1918 he managed one more appearance before his Commanding Officer when he was charged with being AWOL from midnight 27 Aug 1918 until apprehended by Military Police at midnight on 29 Aug 1918. This time he forfeited 6 day's pay.


It is difficult to see that he was effective for any great amount of time. During the short time that he was with the Battalion he worked as an assistant cook, due to limited physical capacity due to illnesses which included influenza and Venereal Disease. Any exercise caused dizziness, and this was diagnosed as heart related. He was eventually returned to Australia on medical grounds, and was discharged by the 5th Military District on 9 Dec 1918.

Post War

Patrick died within a year of being discharged.

Notes


External Links