Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
William O’Brien, was born in Burnhope in 1890 to parents John Patrick (a miner, born in Ireland) and Mary (born in Stockton). In 1901 the family lived at 18, West Wood Row, Burnhope. In 1911 William was living with his widowed mother, his brother, sister Annie and her children at 2, Kitswell Lane (sic - Road) Lanchester. At that time, he was a Coal Putter. In the second quarter of 1915 he married Annie Murray from Malton Colliery and they had one child, William, born 11th January 1916.
William attested at Consett on 10 November 1914 and served in the 14th Durham Light Infantry. He was posted to France on 8th October 1915. On 7th July 1916 he was appointed Lance Corporal. He was reported as wounded and missing on 18th September 1916 and this was later given as his assumed date of death.
He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
His widow was awarded a pension in 1917, by which time her address was 6 Mill Terrace, Lanchester.
William was a Roman Catholic. One of the documents in his service record is witnessed by Father Martin Drea, Parish Priest from Lanchester.
Awards: 1915 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal.
William O'Brien is remembered in Lanchester on L62.01 L62.02 L62.04 and L62.07
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 252
