Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John O’Leary stated that he was born at Christchurch and was 29 years 9 months old when he enlisted on 17 December 1914 at Enoggera, Queensland, Australia. On 24 April 1915 at Enoggera, he swore that “I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force from this day [29 August 1914] until the end of the War, and a further period of four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed, or removed therefrom; and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and cause His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service, faithfully discharge my duty according to law.” He signed as John O’Leary. An engine driver, single and Roman Catholic, he nominated his father John O’Leary of Orari, South Canterbury, New Zealand, as his next-of-kin. This was not the only occasion when a member of the Leary family was linked with Orari. John O’Leary was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighed 9 stone 4½ pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34 inches. His complexion was fair, his eyes blue, and his hair brown. He had good vision and hearing; was free of diseases and physical defects; his heart and lungs were healthy; and he had free use of his joints and limbs. He was, thus, fit for Active Service. He bore a tattoo mark on left forearm – clasped hand, motif True Love.

Private John O’Leary embarked with the 1st Light Horse Brigade, 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment, of the 5th Reinforcements, leaving from Newcastle on 17 May 1915 per the “Malakuta”. (The Australian Casualty List published in the Timaru Herald of 20 July 1915 noted J. Leary, a New Zealander, among the wounded.) John O’Leary joined his Regiment at Gallipoli on 25 October 1915 and commenced duty at the Front. The Australian Casualty List No. 123, issued at Sydney on 16 December 1915, contained the names of three New Zealanders killed in action, one of them being Private J. O’Leary, another Private E. S. Richards (also a South Canterbury man). Many “Queenslanders” were included in the list. O’Leary’s death had been reported at Alexandria on 8 December 1915.

Private/Trooper John O’Leary, 945 2nd Light Horse, Australian Imperial Force, was killed in action on 11 November 1915 at the Gallipoli Peninsula and was buried at Embarkation Pier Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. On 10 October 1923, it was recorded that a Headstone Tablet was to be erected in this cemetery. A plaque was indeed, erected and is marked with a cross. It reads –

BELIEVED TO BE BURIED IN THIS CEMETERY

945 TROOPER

J. O’LEARY

2NDB AUST. LIGHT HORSE

11 NOVEMBER 1915

THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT

From 1916, the Officer in charge at Base Records was seeking from the New Zealand Director of Base Records any later address for Private J. O’Leary’s next-of-kin, as letters to the Orari address had been returned unclaimed. It was suggested that a notice be inserted in the local press. A package containing the personal effects of the late Private J. O’Leary was received from Egypt by Base Records on 17 February 1917. It was subsequently returned to them by the Postal Authorities. Communications forwarded to his father at the Orari address were returned unclaimed. A letter dated 24th July 1917 was addressed to Mr J. O’Leary, Orari, South Canterbury. It read – “Dear Sir, With reference to the report of the regrettable loss of your son, the late No. 945, Private J. O’Leary, 2nd Light Horse Regiment, I am now in receipt of advice which shows that he was killed in action at Gallipoli Peninsula, on the 11th November, 1915, and was buried in the locality known as 1st Light Horse Brigade section, 16 C.C.H., on the same day, the Rev. G. Green officiating. These additional details are furnished by direction, it being the policy of the Department to forward all information received in connection with deaths of members of the Australian Imperial Force. Yours faithfully, Officer i/c Base Records.” It was returned to Base Records, Melbourne, on 15 August 1917, the name and address not known. On 12 July 1920 it was advised that the next-of-kin could not be located. The amount due to Private John O’Leary’s estate was, therefore, transferred to credit of Trust Fund, pending a claim for same. It had been paid to the Public Curator, Brisbane, in October 1916 but refunded to Base Records Office, Melbourne when the next-of-kin could not be traced. In reply to a memorandum of February 1924, it was advised that there was no record of any claim for war pension. His father was untraceable to receive the war medals – 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Why could his father John O’Leary not be traced? Was it because of the address at Orari or a discrepancy in the spelling of the name (Leary/O’Leary)? Did John O’Leary enlist under a false name? Did he give false details? (John Leary/O’Leary who died on 24 July 1946 at Auckland Hospital, aged 73 years, was the son of John Leary and Margaret Murphy, born at Hilton [verified by death certificate; other supporting details], which refutes family trees which suggest he was the John of this profile).

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [01 August 2018]; Australian Imperial Force Attestation Papers (National Archives of Australia; CWGC [01 December 2013]; Timaru Herald, 20 July 1915, 17 December 1915, Evening Post, 11 December 1915, NZ Times, 13 December 1915, Wanganui Herald, 16 December 1915, Star, 16 December 1915 (Papers Past) [19 January 2019; February 2024]; The Evening Telegraph, Queensland, 16 December 1915, The Daily Telegraph, NSW, 16 December 1915, Daily Standard, Queensland, 16 December 1915 (Trove) [21/02/2024]; NZ Death certificate (ordered 24/02/2024; received 07/03/2024), which verifies that John O’LEARY, 945 AIF, was not the son of John Leary and Margaret Murphy, of Hilton.

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record

Related Documents

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