Corporal Richard O’Connor was one of the members of the 2/12 Field Ambulance Corps who were lost when the Centaur was sunk.
He had just had his 25th birthday.
Richard, or Dick as he was known, was my father and was born on 10th May 1918 at Bulli N.S.W. He was the youngest of nine children born to Alice (nee Streeter) and Lawrence O’Connor.
He workedy at the tannery at Botany and I am told was a very good boxer. In 1936 he married my mother Marjory Buckman. They had two children, myself and my brother Kevin. I have vague memories of a very proud dad. My dad enlisted in July 1940 and did his initial training in Goulburn and was transferred to the 2/12 Field Ambulance Corps in November. He then went to Cowra and in April 1941 to Darwin. He was there during the bombings.
Before the ‘Centaur’ sailed Dad was in camp in Bulli and my mother and we children were able to come from the country to see him – as it turned out for the last time.
I do remember that dreaded telegram being delivered.
We then lived in Sydney until my mother was admitted to hospital in 1947. My mother’s brother and his wife offered us a home in Brisbane. Mum had T.B. and died in Concord Repat. Hospital in 1950. We were then living at ‘Moorlands’ which was a home for war orphans run by Legacy. The members of that organisation were mainly returned servicemen and they became our surrogate parents. It was an amazing organisation and those men along with the matrons and staff were wonderful. We were so fortunate to come into their care. The children who were at ‘Moorlands’ became our extended family and lifelong friends.
All that was many years ago and I was amazed recently to receive a letter from Lt. Cl. Glyn Llanwarne wanting to confirm that I was the daughter of Richard O’Connor. Glyn had in his possession my father’s war medals and had been searching for a descendent. He was able to make the connection through tl1e Centaur Association.