A superb Great War Mesopotamia Military Cross and Palestine Second Award Bar group to Private, later Captain W. O’Brien, 1st Battalion, The Connaught Rangers who having initially served for 7 years would be discharged to the Army Reserve on 26th May 1914.
An outstanding Great War Mesopotamia Military Cross and Palestine Second Award Bar group to Private, later Captain W. O’Brien, 1st Battalion, The Connaught Rangers who having initially served for 7 years would be discharged to the Army Reserve on 26th May 1914. Recalled upon the outbreak of the Great War he would serve as a Private with the 2nd Battalion, Connaught Rangers on the Western Front before being granted a commission with the 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers on 12th November 1914. He would be Mentioned in Despatches for his services in France in the London Gazette of 13th June 1916 and then decorated with the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 27th July 1916 for his gallantry in a counter-attack in Mesopotamia where he exposed himself in order to encourage his men, leading to an orderly withdrawal. He would be awarded a bar to his Military Cross in the London Gazette of 8th March 1919 for his conspicuous gallantry and brilliant leadership in Palestine in the actions Sabieh on 19th September 1918 and El Funduk on 20th September 1918 where he was involved in the capture of over 200 prisoners, six guns and two machine guns.
Group of 4: Military Cross, GVR, and Second Award Bar; 1914 Star with clasp; (9123 PTE. W. O’BRIEN. 2/CONN.RANG.) British War Medal and Victory Medal with Mention in Despatches oakleaf emblem; (CAPT W. O’BRIEN.) Loose-mounted for wear, Good Very Fine
Condition: Loose-mounted for wear, Good Very Fine
William O’Brien was born on 27th January 1887 and would enlist in the Connaught Rangers, in which he served 6 years and 364 days. He would be discharged to the Army Reserve on 26th May 1914, but was recalled upon mobilisation on 5th August 1914, and served for 98 days Mobilised Reserve Service before he was granted a commission on 12th November 1914, from Company Sergeant-Major in the 2nd Battalion. He was promoted Lieutenant on the 30th August 1915 and would be Mentioned in Despatches for his service in France by General Sir Douglas Haig on 13th June 1916. Having travelled to Mesopotamia he would be awarded the Military Cross as a Temporary Captain with the 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers, the citation appearing in the London Gazette of 27th July 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry during an enemy counter-attack. His coolness and the fearless way in which he exposed himself in order to encourage his men were largely responsible for the orderly withdrawal which took place.’
Appointed Acting Captain of the 13th August 1917 which he held until 14th May 1918, he would appointed Temporary Captain on 6th August 1918 when he would be serving in Palestine, he would be awarded a bar to the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 8th March 1919, the citation being published in the London Gazette of 4th October 1919:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and brilliant leadership. On the 19th September 1918, near Sabieh, he commanded one of the leading companies, and, after taking his final objective, followed the enemy into Kalkilieh, capturing over 190 prisoners. On the night of the 20th September 1918, near El Funduk, in the dark he led his company with great dash against an enemy column and captured six guns, two machine guns, and twenty-five prisoners. He rendered splendid service.’
Subsequently appointed a Substantive Captain with the 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers on 1st January 1921, and a Captain with the King’s Regiment on 5th September 1922 with which he served until he retired on a gratuity on the 18th February 1931.
After retirement he lived in Dover, and he made every effort to obtain employment, and up to the date of his death without much success. On the morning of the 11th December 1933, he attended Mass as was his custom, and duly communicated. After breakfast he went for a walk along the cliffs, on a very wild and windy day, when a terrific gale was blowing, and this custom he had kept up almost daily since he went to live in Dover. He was absent from his lodgings all that day, and his body was recovered from the sea off Walmer on the 12th December. An inquest was held on the 14th December, which returned an open verdict, death from drowning in the sea.
Captain O’Brien had served through the Great War, had obtained his commission for good and gallant service, and had obtained his commission for good and gallant service, and had the Military Cross and clasp. He had been present in nearly every action the 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers had taken part in, and had suffered shipwreck through the action of the enemy torpedo, and had been saved from that, and had rejoined his Regiment. He was always popular and liked by all with whom he came in contact and was a general favourite in the Connaught Rangers. In action he was most gallant, and he had more than deserved any honours he had won. He will be missed by his comrades, and by all those in the old Regiment who knew his worth and his gallantry in action.