by Fred Larimore.
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Copyright © 1995-1997
From Scoone, town of Leven, in the County of Fife. His father (William)
was in the Royal Artillery at Devonport when John enlisted in the Royal
Artillery on the 21st of July 1876. He was then 14 years
of age, height four feet eight inches, had a fair complexion, and was
a member of the Church of England. His service was as an underage Trumpeter
until June of 1881. His brother, William, was also in the Royal Artillery.
He was promoted to Bombadier in 1886, Corporal 1887, Sergeant 1888, Company
Sergeant major 1893, 3rd Class Master Gunner 1894, 2nd
Class in 1899, and 1st Class Master Gunner (Warrant Officer)
in 1899. In 1905, he was commissioned a Lieutenant, Quarter Master. During
the Great War he served as a Captain, Quarter Master in the Royal Garrison
Artillery. He retired as a Major, Quarter Master in the 1920's. His service
in until his date of commission in 1905 was 28 years and 188 days.
John's first active service was as an underage Trumpeter in the 2
nd Afghan War 1878-1880, attached to the 6th Battery,
8 th Brigade, Royal Artillery. He was with Lord Roberts On the
famous march from Kabul to Kandahar and participated in many actions prior
to leaving Kabul.This unit played a prominent role in the Battle of Kandahar
on the 1st of September 1880. Later, he was with the Zhob Valley
Field Force in 1884, saw action, but no medal or clasp was given for this
operation. He did receive the India General Service medal with the clasps
for active service in Burma 1886-7 and for the Sikkim Expedition in 1888.
He was present for the Coronation of George V in 1911 and received the Coronation
Medal. He was also awarded the medal for Long Service and Good Conduct in
1895 and in 1905 he received the Meritorious Service Medal. His service in
the Great War qualified him for the War Medal.
Some of his other interesting duty stations include service in British
North America (Canada) and in Bermuda during the early 1900's. During his
service in Canada, as a Master Gunner 1st Class, he was stationed at Esquimalt.
Esquimalt was an important Pacific naval station on the the south-east
end of Vancouver Island in British Coloumbia. Master Gunner O'Brien's duties
involved the training and manning of the Coastal Batteries built to cover
the Straits of Juan de Fuca and protect Esquimalt and Victoria harbor.
He was married in Darjeeling in 1890. John O'Brien had continuous service
in the British Army for over 35 years.