Description
1914 Star, 10032 Private William O’Dea, 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment. Who died on service on 2nd November 1918, barely a week before the end of the war. From Birr, Kings County, Ireland
Officially impressed: “10032 Pte W. O’Dea Leins: R”
Good piece of original silk ribbon.
Confirmed on the medal roll, also earned the WW1 Pair for his service.
William died on 2nd November 1918, of Appendicitis.
His parents were Daniel and Mary O’Dea, of Bridge Street, Birr, King’s County, Leinster, Ireland.
His brother 7941 Pte John O’Dea had been killed in action, the family losing 2 sons in the war.
According to his Medal Index Card, first landed to fight in France on 8th September 1914.
John was fighting alongside his brother, John O’Dea, who served as 7941 in the same battalion and regiment, the 2nd Bn Leinster Regiment.
His brother John however would be killed in action on 19th May 1916.
At the time of entry into France the 2nd Leinsters landed at St Nazaire and would remain on the Western Front throughout the war where they saw much fighting.
Notably 3 men would earn the Victoria Cross from the 2nd Battalion Leinster Regt out of 4 earned by the Regiment. (John Cunningham. Martin Moffat, John O’Neill)
Having made it almost all the way through the war since 1914, he died barely a week before the Armistice of “Disease” on 2nd November 1918, caused by Appendicitis.
