The AIF Project

John O'HEHIR

Regimental number6855
Place of birthSydney New South Wales
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationBoilermakers assistant
AddressBalmain, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Next of kinFather, James O'Hehir, 9 Grove Street, Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date9 May 1917
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name17th Battalion, 20th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/34/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A72 Beltana on 16 June 1917
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll17th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'Work at Mont St.Quentin on 31 August 1918.'
Recommendation date: 7 September 1918

FateReturned to Australia 22 August 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'These men [O'HEHIR and 3889 A.B. MANSFIELD] were the only stretcher bearers left on the objective during the attack on MONT ST. QUENTIN, near PERONNE, on 31st August 1918, and worked in such a tireless manner under heavy artillery and machine gun fire, that their courage can only be described as superb. Time after time, they ventured out over the trenches for the wounded, and carried them to the R.A.P. which was some considerable distance away, through constant fire from enemy guns. They did this again and again for 24 hours until they became utterly exhausted.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

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