Connolly, Joseph Michael

5829 Private Joseph Michael Connolly - 28th Battalion AIF

Joseph Michael Connolly was born in 1877 in Loughmore, Templemore Tipperary Ireland. He had his early life in Ireland and was educated there.

Joseph came to WA in the early 1900's and after a bout of mining in the Goldfields secured employment with the WA Government Railways as an Engine Driver. In 1909 he married Rose Fagg in North Coolgardie.

After their marriage they came to live at 35 Canning Road East Fremantle.

On the 22nd March 1916 Joseph enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force in Fremantle. The medical examiner passed his as fit for service and recorded his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 4 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 147lbs;

Chest Measurement - 37-39 inches;

Complexion - Sallow;

Eyes - Grey;

Hair - Dark Brown.

After his successful enlistment Joseph was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the 63rd Training Depot. Joseph was taken through the basics of infantry work at this camp. After a few weeks at the depot training camp Joseph was assigned to the 16th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion AIF.

He had the next few months in WA training with this group. On the 13th October 1916 Joseph and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they embarked on the transport ship HMAT Suffolk and set sail for England. During the voyage Joseph was in an accident in which he fractured his wrist and dislocated his thumb, which meant that he was taken off the ship in Capetown in South Africa. As described by Joseph;

Was lying in the hammock asleep and was thrown out of the hammock and fell on the deck. The sea was at that time rough and the ship rolling heavily. 9 days after the accident arrived at Capetown and was admitted to Alexander Hospital the same day 30-10-16. The finger was then in a septic state, and several incisions were made until right thumb was amputated 8 days after admission to hospital 7/11/16.

Joseph would be in South Africa for the next six months and on the 15th April 1917 he returned to Australia aboard the Hospital Ship Beltana, arriving in Fremantle on the 5th May 1917. He was then sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle. The medical officers advised that Joseph remain here for the next six months receiving treatment.

Joseph was discharged from the AIF on the 9th November 1917. As the accident was during his active service and at no fault to himself, Joseph was granted a military pension.

He was now living with his wife at 13 Onslow Road East Fremantle (later renumbered 5 Onslow). Due to his hand injury he was not able to resume work as an engine driver but was employed by Fremantle Harbour Trust as a hulk keeper. He and Rose moved to De Lisle Street in North Fremantle, residing at No.26. (property no longer exists)

In 1925 Joseph was still employed as the Concordia North wharf as a hulk keeper but was later employed at McIlwraith McEachern shipping company. Rose and Joseph were now living at 8 George Street Cottesloe Beach (later renamed Mosman Park)

Sadly, his wife Rose died on the 31st March 1929 and Joseph then moved to Monument Street at Buckland Hill. He then moved again during World War Two to 5 Nicholson Street West Leederville.

Joseph Connolly died on the 22nd June 1943 aged 66. He joined his wife Rose when he was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery plot Roman Catholic GA 0001.