Private William O'Connor
Killed in Action in WW1
Date of Death:
Service Biography
William O'Connor, born in Huntingdon, enlisted on October 29, 1915 in Regina, Saskatchewan. He trained in Canada and England before joining the 52nd Battalion in France on June 10, 1916. On December 6th, 1916 he was killed by a howitzer shell during an attack on a German trench, 1 month before his 21st birthday. His father received the following letter:
Dear Sir,
You have been now been notified by cable of the death of your gallant son, who was killed in action at 5:00 a.m. on the morning of 6th December.
I am sorry to have to confirm the news. Your son was killed by a howitzer shell during the raid on the German trenches. He was a man who was respected by the men and officers of the company. He was always ready to undertake any dangerous work that came his way, always among the first to volunteer for such work. His nature was really a wonderful thing. I have never seen the boy without a smile on his lips and a joke ready. The men had a nickname for him, “Sunny”, which exactly suited him, for no matter how long the march, how hard the duty in the trenches he was always smiling.
We can all appreciate your loss and the sorrow for your loss is also ours, for we have lost one of the best men and most gallant comrades it has been our privilege to have.
If I can do anything to explain things more clearly, please write me. I may say that your son received Christian burial on the morning of 7th December 1916.
I have the honor to be sir, your obedient servant.
R.A. Wilcox, Lieut.
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
105053
Cause of Death (in war):
Killed in Action
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Infantry
Battalion:
52nd Battalion
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Huntingdon, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
19 years 9 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
20 years 11 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
20 years 11 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Farmer
Next of Kin:
James O'Connor, father, Huntingdon, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
Likely, McLean, Saskatchewan
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
Regina, Saskatchewan
Was a Prisoner of War:
Height:
5 ft 5.0 in / 165 cm
Weight:
Chest:
36.0 in / 91 cm
Expansion:
2.5 in / 6 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Died in Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
404 days in service
Buried at:
Plot:
III. J. 16
Links
Images
William O'Connor
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Private |
Canadian Infantry |
Army |
52nd Battalion |
|
|
|
Available Transcriptions
| Type |
Date |
Published |
Headline |
| News Clipping |
|
|
Unveiling of the Soldiers Monument in Huntingdon |
Notes
War Gratuity of $180 paid to Mother (Mary Ann O'Connor) in McLean Sask. on July 19, 1920
Private William O'Connor, son of James O'Connor and Mary Ann O'Connor, formerly of Godmanchester PQ, was killed in action, age 19 years, 11 months. James O'Connor received the following letter, printed in the Huntingdon Gleaner of January 4, 1917
"Dear Sir,
You have been now been notified by cable of the death of your gallant son, who was killed in action at 5:00 a.m. on the morning of 6th December.
I am sorry to have to confirm the news. Your son was killed by a howitzer shell during the raid on the German trenches. He was a man who was respected by the men and offocers of the company. He was always ready to undertake any dangerous work that came his way, always among the first to volunteer for such work. His nature was really a wonderful thing. I have never seen the boy without a smile on his lips and a joke ready. The men had a nickname for home, "Sunny", which exactly suited him, for no matter how long the march, how hard the duty in the trenches he was always smiling.
We can all appreciate your loss and the sorrow for your loss is also ours, for we have lost one of the best men and most gallant comrades it has been our privilage to have.
If I can do anything to explain things more clearly, please write me. I may say that your son received Christian burial on the morning of 7th December 1916. I have the honor to be sir, your obedient servant.
R.A. Wilcox, Lieut."
Additional Service Notes
Wrong regimental number (15053) in CVWM
Enlisted October 29, 1915 in Regina, Saskatchewan
Embarked S.S. Olympic in Halifax on May 1, 1916
Arrived Liverpool, England on May 7, 1916
Left England for France on June 6, 1916
Joined 52nd Battalion in Field on June 10, 1916
Killed in Action (Howitzer Shell) 12-06-1916
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Research Notes
Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial
Mother (Mary Ann O'Connor) listed as being in McLean, Saskatchewan, in 1917
