Private Thomas O'Connor

Thomas O'Connor was born in Godmanchester in 1890 (attested) or 1891 (family history-his birth certificate is not available). In late 1917 he was working as a farmer in Cabri, Saskatchewan when he received his conscription notification.

He was inducted into the First Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) as a Private on January 2, 1918, went to England in March 1918 for advanced training, and was in France in late August 1918. He was wounded by a gas attack in the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe (Arras) on September 8th, 1918. He recovered and participated in the march across Belgium to participate in the occupation of Germany following the Armistice on 11 November, 1918.

He was part of the first group of Canadians to march into Germany in late 1918. Prior to his return he spent time in England and later at Kimnel Park in Wales.

Thomas O'Connor survived the war and returned to Canada in April 1919. The story of his time during World War 1 can be found here.

He suffered from the effects of the gas on his lung all his life. He married Grace Walsh and together they raised 7 children.

1891-10-31 — Born — Huntingdon, Quebec
1917-11-08 — Medical examination under the Military Service Act — Swift Current, Saskatchewan
1918-01-02 — Called up and joined First Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment — Calgary, Alberta — First Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment
1918-02-19 — Embarked for overseas service — Canada
1918-03-04 — Disembarked in England and taken on strength — Bramshott, England — 21st Reserve Battalion
1918-08-08 — Proceeded overseas for service with 31st Battalion — Bramshott, England — 31st Battalion
1918-09-08 — Wounded by gas while serving with 31st Battalion — France — 31st Battalion
1918-09-13 — Admitted after gas wound — Aubengue, France — 54th General Hospital
1918-10-06 — Transferred for continued treatment — Aubengue, France — 12th Canadian General Hospital
1918-10-30 — Discharged to rest camp — St. Martins, France — No. 1 Rest Camp
1919-01-29 — Transferred to England specifically for service as a miner — England — Nova Scotia Regimental Depot
1919-02-06 — Taken on strength and attached to C.C.C. Kimnel Park — Kinmel Park, Wales
1919-02-28 — Ceased attachment at Kimnel Park for return to Canada — Kinmel Park, Wales
1919-03-30 — Taken on strength at No. 6 District Depot for discharge — Halifax, Nova Scotia — No. 6 District Depot
1919-04-14 — Discharged on demobilization — Halifax, Nova Scotia — No. 6 District Depot