Photo: Dorothy Hall
35210 Private
D. O'Connell
Duke of Wellington's Regt.
2nd December 1918
On whose soul
Sweet Jesus have Mercy
R.I.P.
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Daniel, the son of Patrick James and Catherine (nee Cunningham) was born at Durham in 1894.The couple married at St Wilfred’s Church Bishop Auckland on November 24th 1888 and went on to have 7 children together, namely Mary Ellen, Alice Ann, Catherine, Daniel, Margaret, Beatrice and James. Father Patrick worked as a coke drawer at the time of his marriage.
Patrick (aka James) died on August 22nd 1900 accidentally killed by a fall of coal in Croxdale mine at the early age of 36 years. Apparently two shots had been fired in his place and he was commencing to drill a third hole, when a piece of coal fell upon and killed him.
1901 census (family name incorrectly transcribed as Comella) finds Kate widowed at the of age 32 years was responsible for looking after 7 children aged from 12 years to 1 year. There is no apparent breadwinner in the home.
By 1911 the family is still together at their accommodation in Hett Village although the older members are now working. Daughters, Catherine and Margaret are factory girls in the worsted factory whilst Daniel is a helper up putter.
Daniel attested for the army on December 7th 1915 but was not mobilized until April 20th 1918, soon after which he was transferred to the 20th Training Reserve for the Machine Gun Corps. By May 6th 1918 he was transferred and posted to 3rd East Yorkshires, then the following September to 2/4th West Riding Regiment. The following month he was with the depot.
Daniel embarked for the B.E.F. on August 30th 1918 but was seriously injured only a few weeks afterwards on October 10th. He was taken to the War Hospital at Exeter suffering from a gunshot wound to the head that resulting in a cerebral abscess. The operation of trepanning was performed but he died at 08.05am December 1st 1918 from heart failure due to the effects of his wounds. His other injuries included a gunshot wound to the left leg (fractured tibia and fibula) and right shoulder. He was 24 years of age.
The inscription on his headstone reads:- “On whose soul sweet Jesus have Mercy R.I.P.”
His mother, Kate was due monies owing amounting to £9.16.9d
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Daniel O'Connell is remembered at Hett; the memorial is now at Croxdale C104.02 and at Tursdale on T62.02
