Remembering Private James Edward O’Brien—KIA August 10, 1918

James Edward O’Brien was born at Canso, Guysborough County, on March 26, 1896, the fourth of John J. and Elizabeth (Landry) O’Brien’s six children and the youngest of their four sons. James was working as a clerk in the local community when he enlisted with the 193rd Battalion at Canso on April 11, 1916.

Private James Edward O'Brien

Transferred to the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) on October 12—the same day on which he departed for England with the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade—James was admitted to Bramshott Military Hospital in early November, suffering from “shortness of breath and weakness on exertion.” Medical staff could not identify a specific cause for his symptoms and James was discharged after spending two weeks in hospital.

Shortly after his discharge, James was re-assigned to the 219th Battalion, but the unit’s dissolution in December 1916 resulted in another transfer to the 161st Battalion, an Ontario unit. Throughout the following year, James remained in England with the 161st. When the 6th Reserve Battalion absorbed its personnel in early 1918, James was assigned to the 47th Battalion (British Columbia) on February 15, 1918, and joined his new unit in France on March 4.

Throughout the spring and early summer of 1918, James served a regular rotation with the 47th in sectors near Lens, France. While German forces launched a major “spring offensive” in late March, Canadian sectors were not targeted. The 47th’s personnel spent much of May and all of June in Divisional Reserve and saw little in the way of combat with German forces following their return to trenches near Oppy on July 10.

Allied Commanders, however, were busy planning a major counter-offensive in which the well-rested  Canadian Corps would play a significant role. In early August, the 47th made its way southward to Fourdrinoy, 15 kilometres west of Amiens. After several days’ rest, its personnel entered the line on the evening of August 7 and completed final preparations for an attack on German positions east of Amiens.

At 4:40 a.m. August 8, a massive artillery barrage signalled the beginning of the Battle of Amiens. The 47th’s soldiers advanced in support behind the 44th Battalion, one of its Brigade mates. Forward progress continued throughout the day, the 47th’s personnel reaching the outskirts of Beaucourt-en-Santerre before dark and settling in for the night.

James and his comrades rested throughout the following day before relieving the 11th Brigade’s 87th Battalion in the front trenches during the late evening hours. As morning approached, the 47th prepared for its first major combat since James’ arrival in France. At 10:15 a.m. August 10, its soldiers resumed the attack on the German line.

Despite heavy artillery bombardment, the soldiers steadily moved forward throughout the day, until machine gun fire halted the advance west of Fouquescourt. While personnel managed to drive enemy forces from the village by early evening, stiff resistance and dwindling light forced the unit to consolidate its position and settle in for the night.

Private James O’Brien’s first combat experience proved to be his last. Around 6:00 p.m. August 10, while taking part in the 47th’s attack on Fouquescourt, James was struck by a machine gun bullet and instantly killed. He was laid to rest in the Australian Imperial Forces Burial Ground, Flers, France.

James' story is one of 64 profiles contained in Bantry Publishing’s First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume II: 1918 - 1937, available for purchase online at bantrypublishing.ca .