Royal Dublin Fusiliers badge


8th
Royal Dublin Fusiliers

Peter


Brothers in World War I
Peter John O'Connor (PJ) and Thomas Joseph (Toddy) O'Connor were born into a family of Dublin butchers, cattle merchants and auctioneers towards the end of the 19th century.
The family orignated in County Roscommon, where it has been traced back to 1856 (definitely) and the 1820s (unconfirmed) and the earliest known records suggest an occupation either as a shepherd or as a cattle penman.
PJ remained in Dublin until 1915, when he enlisted in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, but Toddy emigrated to Australia, probably after 1906, and enlisted in the Australian Light Horse, also in 1915.
Coincidence or an agreement between the brothers? We'll never know.


12th Australian Light Horse badge

12th Australian Light Horse

Toddy