| Regimental number | 4838 |
| Place of birth | Clare, South Australia |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | 3rd Street Island, Port Pirie West, South Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Height | 5' 5" |
| Weight | 118 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs E.M. O'Brien, 3rd Street Island, Port Pirie West, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 10th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/27/4 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board RMS Mongolia on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 50th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'From 5th to 12th June 1917 near MESSINES these N.C.O.s and men [6704 W. BERRY, 4315 F. McKENZIE, 4838 J.J. O'BRIEN, 8460 F.E. NELSON, 6317 P.S. CHARLWOOD, 2085 A.W. SIMMONS, 2206 W.W. ARBERY, 3250 K.C. BASSETT, 3800 J.F. GRABHAM] were employed with the Divisional Pack Transport Troop which was used nightly in taking up supplies, water and ammunition to the various Battalion Headquarters. The various convoys came nightly under heavy shell and machine gun fire and their work was carried out in the dark and under trying conditions. In some cases the supplies were taken up to within a few hundred yards from Front Line. These N.C.O.s and men have been selected in order of merit out of the [no. indecipherable] N.C.O.. and men employed as having set an example of coolness under fire and determination in carrying out their duties.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Alexandria, Egypt, to join the British Expeditionary Force, 7 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 14 June 1916. Taken on strength of 50th Bn, 13 August 1916. Wounded in action, 4 September 1916; admitted to No 3 Canadian Hospital, Boulogne, 5 September 1916 (gunshot wound, face and ribs); transferred to England, 6 September 1916; to Norfolk Hospital. Thorpe, Norfolk, 7 September 1916 (fractured ribs). Proceeded overseas to France, 14 December 1916; marched into 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 15 December 1916. Rejoined unit, 19 December 1916. To be Driver, 1 February 1917. Awarded Military Medal, 23 June 1917. On leave, 8 September 1917; rejoined unit, 23 September 1917. Admitted to No 13 Australian Field Ambulance, 17 November 1917, and transferred to No 59 Casualty Clearing Station the same day (rheumatism); to No 3 Convalescent Depot, Cayaux, 4 December 1917; discharged, 8 January 1918; marched into 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Le Havre, 9 January 1918. Proceeded to unit, 13 January 1918; rejoined unit, 18 January 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 2 March 1918; rejoined unit, 16 March 1918. Admitted to No 49 Casualty Clearing Station, 5 August 1918 (Inflammation of connective tissues, foot); transferred to No 11 Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 7 August 1918; to No 2 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, 15 August 1918; marched into Australian Intermediate Base Depot, Le Havre, 9 September 1918. Rejoined unit, 19 September 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 2 October 1918; rejoined unit, 23 October 1918. Proceeded to England, 20 January 1919; marched into Overseas Training Bde, Longbridge Deverill, 29 January 1919. Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board HT 'Armagh', 5 April 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 16 May 1919; discharged Adelaide (termination of period of enlistment), 30 June 1919. Total war service: 3 years 231 days (of which 3 years 69 days were abroad). Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal. |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 37 |
| Place of burial | AIF Cemetery, West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, O'BRIEN Jacob James |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
