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5989720 Private William O’Brien

We are keen to hear from anyone who is a relative or knows anything about Private William O’Brien.

Please don't hesitate to contact us so we can share the story of this brave man.


Born: 28 Jan 1921
Died: 17 Nov 2005
Age at death: 84 years, 9 months, and 20 days

Company: HQ
Platoon: MT?

Prisoner of War — No. 72149

Captured at Oosterbeek Church, 26 Sep 1944

  • 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.

Released: 21 Jun 1945


Thanks to R.P. “Bob” Hilton; Diana Andrews; Allan Brown; Andrew Blacklock; Jon Baker; John Howes; Graham Francis; Bob Gerritsen; Darren Wielink; Maarten Lenssen; Judith Minkman; Philip Reinders; Hans den Brok; many 11th Battalion veterans; family, next of kin and friends; staff of the Airborne Museum Hartenstein Oosterbeek; Airborne Assault Museum Duxford; and Gerrit Pijpers OBE without whom this website would not have been possible.