The AIF Project

Patrick Joseph Francis O'SHEA

Date of birth14 March 1892
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationMedical practitioner
AddressGranville, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Next of kinFather, D O'Shea, South Street, Granville, New South Wales
Enlistment date6 September 1916
Rank on enlistmentCaptain
Unit nameMedical Officers
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A35 Berrima on 16 December 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal RollAustralian Army Medical Corps
Promotions

Captain


Unit: MED MO INF8
Promotion date: 6 September 1916

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31448 (11 July 1919); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 124 (30 October 1919).

FateReturned to Australia 1 April 1919
Medals

Distinguished Service Order

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Chuignes on 23rd August, 1918. Keeping up with the advance, he was always in the hottest part of the line, dressing wounded, and organizing stretcher bearers. Realizing that an R.A.P. could not cope with the casualties, he dressed them where they lay and made prisoners carry them back. In amny cases he carried men back himself under heavy fire of all descriptions, and working in gas drenched areas. He had no rest for three days and nights, and did another medical officer's work as well as his own.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date: 3 June 1919

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While in charge of stretcher-bearers he displayed the utmost courage and devotion under heavy shell fire. His fine example was largely responsible for the maintaining of the lines of evacuation from the front line to the headquarters.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 120
Date: 7 August 1918

Bar to Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He dressed the wounded in the open after the aid post had become congested, and organized stretcher parties under heavy fire. His resource and courage saved many lives. He afterwards went round the shell holes with a party of bearers, dressing and collecting the wounded, with a fine disregard of personal danger.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 137
Date: 30 August 1918

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.