| Accession Number | P09291.020 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Digital file TIFF |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of 2239 Corporal William Quinlan O'Connor DCM, 50th Battalion from Naryilco, ...
Description
Studio portrait of 2239 Corporal William Quinlan O'Connor DCM, 50th Battalion from Naryilco, Queensland. A 25 year old stockman prior to enlisting on 18 May 1916, he embarked for overseas with the 4th Reinforcements of the 50th Battalion from Adelaide on 12 August 1916 aboard HMAT Ballarat. Following further training in England, he arrived in France and joined the 50th Battalion on 23 December 1916. After being promoted to Lance Corporal on 17 April 1917, he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery in operations at Noreuil, France on 2 April 1917. He was then promoted to Corporal on 4 July 1917. After being wounded in action on 26 September 1917, he was evacuated to England for medical treatment and did not return to the 50th Battalion until 26 January 1918. Three months later, he was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux, France on 25 April 1918 and is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux with others who have no known grave.