21st Infantry Battalion
Killed In Action
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Thomas Francis O'Connell (SN 5392) was born in Clunes, but enlisted at Ballarat on April 5th 1916. He was 36 years old, unmarried and a labourer. He was allocated to the 21st Infantry Battalion and embarked from Melbourne in late July. On December 4th 1916 while at Rollestone Training Camp in UK he was placed under arrest and confined to the guard house. He escaped and attacked the Sergeant of the Guard and accidentally received a bayonet wound to his chest. He died soon after. The Court of Enquiry completely exonerated the Sergeant of the Guard. Pte O'Connell is buried in the Durrington Cemetery, Wiltshire, UK.
