09 August 2014

Lawrence O'Rourke - KIA

1157 Lawrence William O'Rourke was a 22 year old farmer from Tasmania when he enlisted in 1915. He was allocated to the 26th Battalion, AIF.
O'Rourke fought at Gallipoli but eventually fell ill. He was hospitalised on Malta before returning to  Egypt. In March 1916 he transferred to the Divisional Train as part of the Australian Army Service Corps. At some point after this he returned to his battalion
On 29 July 1916, O'Rourke was killed in action. He has no know grave and is commemorated at Villers-Bretonneux.
O'Rourke's next of kin was his brother Arthur. I have located Arthur's grand son Barry and will soon return O'Rourke's British War Medal to him.
Thank you to Rod P who sent me the medal. The returned medal tally is now 1512.

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