Private Thomas O'Connor
Survivor of WW1
Date of Death:
Service Biography
Thomas O'Connor was born in Godmanchester in 1890 (attested) or 1891 (family history-his birth certificate is not available). In late 1917 he was working as a farmer in Cabri, Saskatchewan when he received his conscription notification.
He was inducted into the First Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) as a Private on January 2, 1918, went to England in March 1918 for advanced training, and was in France in late August 1918. He was wounded by a gas attack in the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe (Arras) on September 8th, 1918. He recovered and participated in the march across Belgium to participate in the occupation of Germany following the Armistice on 11 November, 1918.
He was part of the first group of Canadians to march into Germany in late 1918. Prior to his return he spent time in England and later at Kimnel Park in Wales.
Thomas O'Connor survived the war and returned to Canada in April 1919. The story of his time during World War 1 can be found here.
He suffered from the effects of the gas on his lung all his life. He married Grace Walsh and together they raised 7 children.
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
3205073
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Infantry
Battalion:
31st Battalion
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Godmanchester, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
26 years 2 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
27 years 5 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
75 years 9 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Farmer
Next of Kin:
Helen O'Connor, mother, R.R. No 3, Huntingdon, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
Cabri, Saskatchewan
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
Calgary, Alberta
Was a Prisoner of War:
Not Specified
Height:
5 ft 6.0 in / 168 cm
Weight:
Chest:
36.0 in / 91 cm
Expansion:
2.0 in / 5 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Discharge Type:
Regular/End of Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Gassed at Arras, Sept. 1918
Length of Service:
464 days in service
Buried at:
Plot:
Links
Images
Thomas O'Connor
Tom and Grace, March 1967
Private Tom O'Connor
1919 Huntingdon Peace Parade
Grave of Thomas O'Connor
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Private |
Canadian Infantry |
Army |
31st Battalion |
|
|
|
| WW1 |
Private |
Canadian Infantry |
Army |
1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment |
|
|
|
Awards
| Conflict |
Award |
Action |
Date of Award |
Date of Citation |
Source |
| WW1 |
British War Service Medal |
|
|
|
|
| WW1 |
Victory Medal |
|
|
|
|
| WW1 |
War Service Badge Class "A" |
|
|
|
|
Available Transcriptions
Notes
Thomas O'Connor was born in Godmanchester in 1890 or 1891. In late 1917 he was working as a farmer in Cabri Saskatchawan when he recieved his conscription notification.
He was inducted into the First Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) as a Private on January 2, 1918, went to England in March 1918 for advanced training, and was in France in late August 1918. He was wounded by a gas attack in the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe (Arras) on September 8th, 1918. He recovered and participated in the march across Belgium to participate in the occupation of Germany following the Armistice on 11 November, 1918.
He was part of the first group of Canadians to march into Germany in late 1918. Prior to his return he spent time in England and later at Kimnel Park in Wales.
Thomas O'Connor survived the war and returned to Canada in April 1919. The story of his time during World War 1 can be found here.
He suffered from the effects of the gas on his lung all his life. He married Grace Walsh and together they raised 7 children.
Research Notes
Family history shows year of birth as 1890
