Rifleman, Pvt. Patrick O’Shaughnessy #36882 – 100 Years of WW1 Commemoration:
Rifleman, Pvt.
Patrick O’Shaughnessy #36882 – NZ Rifle Brigade:
Otautau War Memorial, where Pvt. Patrick O'Shaughnessy is remembered
Born probably in
August 1877, in Ballylin East, Craughwell, County Galway, Ireland. Patrick
later immigrated to NZ and settled at Wrey’s Bush, working as a labourer for
the Wallace County Council. According to a letter in his war file, a brother
John and two sisters, remained in Ireland, with Patrick’s mother having died
and been buried in Ballymana Parish, in Ireland. In all the documents I’ve
seen, there is not one mention of his father, or his father’s name.
Although there's mention in the war file of his mother being Mrs J. O’Shaughnessy also of Wrey’s Bush, I have seen no corroborating evidence of this, indeed I have found quite the opposite. Interestingly on further investigation, it appears the woman from Wrey’s Bush claiming to be Patrick’s mother after he died (a Mrs. J.D. O’Shaughnessy – seen below), was labelled by Patrick’s family as a fraud and being no relation at all to him, as their mother was dead some years since. It also appears from no mention of him, that Patrick's father was dead as well. 
See piece above from the OW on 5
Sept 1917, with name
Mrs J.D. O’Shaughnessy claimed as Patrick’s mother. (accessed on: paperspast.natlib.govt.nz)
Somehow, however,
this woman managed to convince the Military Board and got her name inserted
into Patrick’s documents as next of kin; but I note on looking closely at
these, that this all appeared to be done at a later date, as the writing and
pen used is different to that on the originals. One other thing that certainly
corroborates the claim of the family that this woman was a fake, is that in his
will, Patrick leaves everything to his friends in Wrey’s Bush where he lived,
which he presumable would not have done had his mother lived there too.
Interestingly, the Irish family members seem to use the name Shaughnessy,
without the ’O’. While I have not been able to find exactly who Patrick’s
parents were, the ones below seem the most likely option and the “best fit”. I
will update this page if other evidence is received, and we would love to make contact with relatives.
On 1 Aug 1877, a son Patrick, was baptised in “Ballylinn,
Killogilleen” to Patrick Shaughnessy (a Farmer) & Mary (also nee
Shaughnessy). This Patrick appears to have the necessary two sisters and also a
brother John, as per the letter to the NZ Military Board. And, both of this
particular Patrick’s parents appear to have died before the Patrick in our
story did, which would match. There are only 2 Patrick’s showing in this Parish
for the years in question, both were born in 1877, which fits, as solider Patrick
would have therefore been 39 already, and with his health issues, probably not
accepted for the war, unless he made himself younger. This is probably why
Patrick claimed on signing up, to have been born 12th August
1879.
Joining up on 20/9/1916, at the mature age of 37/39, Patrick was attached to and sailed with the Otago Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion of NZ Rifle Brigade, 21st Reinforcements – with J Company, on the Waitemata, to Plymouth in Devon, UK. They left on 19/1/17 and arrived 27/3/1917. From there, Patrick was stationed at Codford in Wiltshire for some months, where he conversed with his brother John in Ireland, by letter. Leaving for France on 28/5/1917, Patrick was KIA just a few months later at Ypres, Belgium on 16/8/1917, and is buried at Motor Car Corner Cemetery, Comines – Warneton, Hainaut, in Belgium.  Private Patrick O'Shaughnessy
In between training at Trentham Camp and leaving for overseas, Patrick had got
his will drawn up in Invercargill – probably while he was at “home” on final
leave, and as he was killed in the field, this was probably a good call. In his
will, Patrick was for some reason clear to leave all his belongings and money
to his good farming friend(s) and fellow settlers in Wrey’s Bush where he
resided, to firstly William Drew, or secondly James Drew. As William was still alive,
he was the one to receive the War Medals of Patricks, when they were issued. And
as Patrick’s legal beneficiary, William also received the monies in Patrick’s
bank account, some £100 odd. Thankfully, after having contacted the War Office,
the NZ Military Board and writing a letter of complaint, explaining the fraud
of the supposed mother claiming to be next of kin, Patrick’s brother John was
the one to receive Patricks War Scroll and Plaque, and signed the receipt for
these. After what ensued from Patrick’s death and the trouble his brother and
family went through to get recognized as next of kin, and after not even being
informed of Patrick’s death as someone else was claiming to be his closest
family member, it seems only fitting these tributes to their brother’s bravery,
were sent to them in Ireland.
Above receipt from
John O’Shaughnessy of Ballylinn East, Craughwell, Co. Galway, Ireland
from Patrick O’Shaughnessy’s War Record, Archives Wellington (Archway Item ID:R21382896) ___________________________________________________________________________________
SOURCES: Any direct references are marked and cited. - Article researched and compiled by Suzie Best - Researcher/Historian, ph: 027-211-4675
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The content within this blog is Copyright: Photos - as stipulated above; Research/text - to the author, unless stipulated otherwise (contact on: riverstream@xtra.co.nz)
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