Jim O'Brien (rugby league, born 1896)
James Lawrence O'Brien (2 August 1896 – 6 April 1988) was a New Zealand rugby league player. He represented the New Zealand rugby league team in 1 match in 1925 against Queensland. In the process he became the 182nd player to represent New Zealand. He also represented Auckland 20 times from 1922 to 1927, and the North Island side in 1927. He played his club rugby league in Auckland for the North Shore Albions (who at this time were named Devonport United) from 1921 to 1928, captaining them at times later in his career. He played for the Maritime club in 1920 and 1921 in his early years after returning from World War 1. Early life James (Jim) Lawrence O’Brien was born on 2 August 1896, in Stillwater, Grey, on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. His parents were Catherine (Kate) O'Brien (née Hughes) (1856–1908), and James O'Brien (1859–1927). Kate was born in Kilmore, Dublin, Ireland, while James was born in Tipperary, Ireland. He had 4 sisters; Elizabeth Mary O’Brien (1887–), Johanna Theresa O’Brien (1890–), Margaret O’Brien (1891–), and Mary Kathleen O’Brien (1894), and 2 brothers; John Terence O’Brien (1897–1975), and Patrick William O’Brien (1900–1983). His mother died in 1908 in Stillwater aged 52 when Jim was 12 years old. His father died in 1927 in Brunner, West Coast aged 68. World War 1 In 1915 O’Brien enlisted in the World War 1 effort. It appears as though he falsified his age as he was only turning 19 in this year which was too young to be eligible. On his enlistment papers it was stated that his date of birth was 2 August 1894. At the time he was a sheep farmer and living at "Sea Homestead". His fathers address was the Liverpool Collieries, Rewanui, on the West Coast. It was the Liverpool State Coalmine which had opened in 1889 and was closed in 1994. His sister, Mrs. H. Day, was listed as his next of kin and was living at 17 Milton Street in Nelson. Distinguished Conduct Medal He commenced duties on 13 December 1915. O'Brien was part of the 11th Reinforcements in J Company as a Private but was later promoted to Sergeant serving in the Auckland Infantry Regiment in the 2nd battalion. He fought in Egypt in 1916 and Western Europe in 1916–18. O'Brien was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In the London Gazette on May 30, 1919, it was written that it was awarded "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has fought in every action but one in which the battalion has been engaged. He distinguished himself at Grevillers and Bancourt in August, 1918, by the cool handling of his section and his gallantry under heavy fire. One 10th October, in the advance of the River Selle, he was again noticed for his excellent work". He served overseas for 3 years and 60 days with his total service 3 years and 179 days. He was also awarded the British War