| Regimental number | 14253 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | St Alban's, Victoria |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Wireless operator |
| Address | 82 St Leonard's Road, Ascot Vale, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Height | 5' 9.25" |
| Weight | 126 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, Patrick O'Dea, Maldon, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served for 4 years in the Citizen Military Forces, 1911-15; 1 year in the Royal Australian Navy Radio Service: still serving at time of AIF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Sergeant |
| Unit name | 1st Australian Wireless Squadron |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 22/16/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Morea on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Warrant Officer Class II |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Wireless Signal Squadron |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Other details |
War service: Middle East Embarked Melbourne, 30 May 1916; disembarked Colombo, Ceylon, 15 June 1916; re-embarked Colombo, 18 June 1916; disembarked Bombay, 21 June 1916; re-embarked Bombay, 24 June 1916; disembarked Basra, Mesopotamia, 5 July 1916. Admitted to hospital, 17 September 1916 (varicocele); discharged, 20 September 1916. Admitted to No 3 British General Hospital, 7 October 1916 (varicocele); discharged, 12 October 1916. Attached to Russian forces in Persia, 22 September 1917; rejoined Wireless Squadron, Bagdad. 17 January 1918. Appointed Squadron Sergeant Major, 18 January 1918. Proceeded from Basra to India on one month's leave, 4 May 1918. Proceeded from Poona to Bombay for return to Australia, 14 January 1919. Commenced return to Australia from Bombay on board HT 'Themistocles', 15 January 1919 (malaria); arrived Sydney, 5 February 1919, for onward travel to Melbourne; discharged, Melbourne, 10 April 1919. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, O'DEA Francis Patrick |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
