Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

John J O’Connor was born in Leeds on 6 April 1895, to parents Michael, an iron foundry worker, and Ellen.  In 1911, the family were living at 11 Masons Buildings, York Street, Leeds.  John (18) was a coat-under-presser and his sister, Mary Ellen (17) was a coat maker.

John enlisted on 26 October 1914, and joined the Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment.  He served initially with the 2/7^th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion and then transferred to the Labour Corps.  He was discharged due to sickness on 31 March 1919, and awarded the British War, Allied Victory Medals and the Silver War Badge.

Rifleman John J O’Connor passed through Peterborough East Station on 5 July 1916.  He was with a group of seven comrades all serving with the 2/7th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment and was stationed at Somerleyton near Lowestoft.

We are fairly certain that John married Emily Rainford, but we have been unable to find a record, as it is likely that Emily had a previous marriage.  They were probably married in the early to mid-1920s and they had three daughters, Ivy Ethel (1927) and Margaret and Muriel (1929).  In 1939, John and Emily are living with Ivy and Margaret at 48 Westover Road, Leeds.  John’s occupation is described as a tailor’s passer.  John died in Bramley, Leeds in June 1949, aged 56.