THE ONLINE HISTORY OF GULGONG AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS: Thomas O'Brien

Thomas O'Brien was born in 1894 at Tallawang, in the Gulgong district. He was the son of John O'Brien and Julia O'Connell. He worked in the Dunedoo Freezing Works for 4 years but was described as a "Railway Employee" living at 20 Robert Street Marrickville before he enlisted in the Great War on 26 September 1915 at the age of 21 years and 3 months.

On the 14 March 1916 he embarked on the HS Minneapolis. He disembarked 19 March and was killed in action in August that same year.

The family in Marrickville received a letter (addressed to his older brother, Eugene) from a fellow soldier, Terry O'Brien (no relation).

The letter reads as follows:

France 8.8.16

Dear Eugene,

I have the sad duty as a mate of Tom’s to tell you of his death. It has hurt me very much and I’m sorry for you all.

Poor Tom was killed, Eugene, about ?? yesterday 7.8.16. The sad part is he was killed right behind the trenches about four mile. He and a chap named Small it seems were in a trench when a shell landed and it covered them. They were practically killed instantaneously.

Tom was buried when I heard of it as I was about 3 miles from him. It is impossible, as you can imagine to have a priest there but everything that was possible of being done was done. He was buried at a place called Tara Hill about 1 ½ miles from a place called Albert near the Somme River. A cross was placed over the grave and I have secured most of the things that Tom carried. Of course the military took most and are sending them home. I feel with you all Eugene in the loss of Tom. In him I recognized a chap of high moral standard and a fine soldier. He did his duty bravely and like many another fine fellow was cut down short. We never know when our turn is coming and __ still here. In this great offensive I am sick to the heart of seeing dead & wounded.

I will say no more Eugene but trust you all bear bravely the loss of poor Tom “He was missed by all”.
From a sincere friend
Terry O’Brien

I will keep all the little effects of Tom’s until I return or am cut down also.
Terry

Follow this link to discover the fate of Terry O'Brien.

On the 29th March 1922, Julia O'Brien wrote a letter to Base Records informing them of the family's new address at 43 Robert Street. Several communications ensued using this new address. In February 1924, the military wrote to Julia stating that they deemed Thomas' father as the "most entitled" to receive Thomas' war medals and requested his present address. John Michael then wrote from 41 Robert Street to claim the medals.

The entire military record is available online here:

Thomas O'Brien

Regimental number	2694
Religion	Roman Catholic
Occupation	Engine Driver
Address	Same as next of kin
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	21
Next of kin	Mother, Mrs Julia O'Brien, 20 Robert Street, Marrickville, New South Wales.
Enlistment date	6 September 1915
Rank on enlistment	Sapper
Unit name	7th Field Company Engineers
AWM Embarkation Roll number	14/26/1
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A23 Suffolk on 22 December 1915
Age at death from cemetery records	22
Place of burial	Baupaume Post Military Cemetery (Plot I, Row B, Grave No. 21), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial	24
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Parents: John and Julia O'BRIEN, 43 Robert Street, Marrickville, New South Wales. Native of Gulgong, New South Wales

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1916 - [KILLED IN ACTION]
The sad news came to hand this week that Pte T. O'Brien, son of Mr. J. M. O'Brien, of the Canimbla public school, was killed in action in France recently.

Source: Cowra Free Press (NSW : 1911 - 1921) Wednesday 6 September 1916

WAR CASUALTIES. KILLED. PRIVATE T. O'BRIEN.
Private Tom O'Brien of the Field Engineers, was killed in action in France on August 7. He was a son of Mr. J. O'Brien, formerly teacher at the Tallewang Public School, and now stationed in the Cowra district. He was at one time employed as assistant engineer at the Dunedoo Freezing Works.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Saturday 9 September 1916 p 18 Article

The Rev. Father D. M. O'Reilly at the Sunday Masses at Tallewang and Gulgong made touching reference to the deaths of Private Wilson and Private T. O'Brien (also killed in France), and members of the Catholic community at Tallewang. — R.I.P.
Source: Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932) Thursday 21 September 1916 p 35 Article

1918 - [HONOR ROLL]

The Honor Roll of the local school will be unveiled in the school grounds on Sunday afternoon, March 10, at 3 o'clock, by Miss A. Graham. A novel feature of the Honor Roll is that the superscription forms the moulding of a large first-aid chest, the names of the old pupils who have served the Empire in the present war being in gold lettering on the door panels. The names inscribed are Alex Graham, John Taylor, Thomas O'Brien, Austin Jones, John O'Connor, Robert Leeson, William Rusten, Roland Wilson, Laurie Saunders, Charles Maul, Leo Wilson. The first-aid chest will be opened by Miss A. Taylor immediately after the unveiling ceremony. A general invitation is issued to residents of the district, while relatives and friends of the soldiers and all old pupils are specially asked to be present. No written invitations are being sent out.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thursday 28 February 1918

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