Cornelius O'Brien

Surname
O'Brien
Forename(s)
Cornelius
Also known as
Con
Date of death
11-Oct-44
Place of death
Italy

World War 2

Serial No
802100
Rank
Corporal
Address on enlistment
North Clyde, Wairoa, New Zealand
Next of kin
Mrs J.T. Thompson (sister), Tikitiki, New Zealand

Comments (2)

Copied from the 28th Maori Battalion Facebook webpage 12 Dec 2012. ---------------------- Con O’Brien (802100), embarked with the 9th Reinforcements. Con was part of 14 platoon - C Coy. During the 3rd battle at Cassino he and Naera Raihania located a Tiger tank in a basement. George Tamahori describes the scene: “Pango tonu mai nga tangata i waho (The men who came out were black all over). Buggers were kids! Two young boys. Con grabbed them, pulled them up. So we took them up to ‘J.C.’ [Major Reedy]. ‘Look at these prisoners. Tamariki (kids)! Heck, these are the kids we’re fighting’ (quote from p.326, Nga Tama Toa, by Monty Soutar). Con was wounded later that afternoon (18 March 1944) and received a Mention in Despatches for his part in the capture of the prisoners. Con was killed in action on 11th October 1944 in Italy and is buried at Cesena War Cemetery. ---------------------- I don't know who posted the information above.