Private William O’Brien's Story

5989720 Private William Arthur O’Brien

We are grateful to Williams’ grandson Marc O’Brien for his assistance and documents about the life of Private O’Brien.

5989720 Private William Arthur O’Brien was born on 28th January 1921 in Gosport, Hampshire, England, the son of Joseph O'Brien and Alice Eliza O'Brien (née Brading). Sadly, William's father Joseph died a few months before his birth, so he would never have met his father. His father was buried on 9th August 1920 in St Thomas, Oxford, having previously lived at 2 Oxford Road, Abingdon, Berkshire.

At the time of the 1921 census of England and Wales the O'Brien family was living at 2 Spring Street, Forton, Gosport, Hampshire and Alice was the head of the household. William's 3 elder siblings were also living in the family home.

Shortly after the census of 1921 was taken, William was placed into a Dr Barnardo’s home; in the late 1960’s he describes being brought up in one for 14 years and having no knowledge of his father or mother or where he was born.

On 2^nd September 1939 William enlisted with his local regiment, the 1st Hertfordshire. The following day, 3^rd September 1939 he married Ellen Mildred Bush in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. They subsequently became parents to two children. William states his civilian trade or profession was Merchant Navy.

In 1940 he states:

“I volunteered for train ferry duty from Harich to Calies as a Lewis Gunner for Anti-Aircraft, and for destroying loose mines. I was in the desert for nearly three years, in the RASC with the 7th Armoured Division.”

He subsequently served with HQ Company of the 11^th Parachute Battalion and fought at the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. On 26^th September 1944, William was captured and taken Prisoner of War. He was held at the following camps:

— Stalag 12A — Limburg, Hessen-Nassau, 01 Oct 1944 – 21 Oct 1944
Camp number ("XII A") crossed out on original M.I.9 form (Q10).

— Stalag 4D — Torgau, Saxony, 25 Oct 1944 – 02 Nov 1944
M.I.9 form (Q10) records this Stalag as "IV D" with location "Mulberg" (Muhlberg). Muhlberg was historically the location of Stalag IV-B, not IV-D (which was at Torgau) - likely a slip on the original document; recorded here as written.
Working camp: Muhlberg, 03 Nov 1944 – 12 Nov 1944 (Sugar Factory)
Working camp: Merseburg, 13 Nov 1944 – 21 Jan 1945 (Cleaning Bomb Debris (likely the Leuna Werke synthetic fuel plant, a major Allied strategic bombing target). M.I.9 form (Q11) spells this "Merser. Burg".)

— Lazarett Wittenberg — Wittenberg, Saxony, 22 Jan 1945 – 26 Apr 1945
M.I.9 form (Q11) records as "WITTENBORG HOST." (Wittenberg Hospital); no working duties listed for this period.

William did not wait until he was released from captivity before regaining his freedom. In his MI9 he says:

"I escaped 2 weeks before liberation, the germans were marching us and I hid in the woods until the Americans came"

He was finally repatriated on 21 Jun 1945.

After the war William returned to Hertfordshire where he lived with his wife, Ellen.

In 1967 William was asked to answer a questionnaire for research into Cornelius Ryan’s book, A Bridge Too Far.

The documents make very interesting reading and provide a deep insight into the personal thoughts of one of the brave men of the XIth and his experience. Some of these were included in the book.

William spent the last few years of his life living in Waltham Cross; between 2002 and 2005, residing at 54, Limes Road, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, EN8 8TH. He sadly died on 17^th November 2005 in Hailey, Hertfordshire and was buried on 29^th November 2005 at Cheshunt, Broxbourne Borough, Hertfordshire, England.

We are still researching the life of Private O’Brien. If you are a relative or have any information about him, please contact us.