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John Thomas O'Hara

Private
World War Two

Keighley War Scrapbook, Page 68 - Keighley News clipping dated 28th April 1945.

News has been received by Mrs Alice O'Hara, of 42, Bogthorn, Oakworth, that her husband, Private John Thomas O'Hara, has been killed in action. Aged 31, Private O'Hara was a native of Keighley and received his education at St Anne's Roman Catholic School. Prior to joining up five years ago he was a conductor for the West Yorkshire Road Car Co. Ltd. The news of his death is especially tragic, as he was due for a home leave in July. He had been abroad for three and a half years. His wife is a Leading Aircraftwoman in the W.A.A.F.

The 7th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment was part of the 5th Indian Division.
On 11 April, the 4 Corps advance on Rangoon from Central Burma began, with 5th Indian Division in the lead. The Japanese army, as future events showed, failed completely to appreciate the speed and weight of this attack and was completely routed. 
The first Japanese attempt to stem this advance was made at Yamethin, 35 miles South of Meiktila, where they succeeded in holding the division up for two days. However, by the early hours of 14 April this town was cleared and the advance continued. John died on the 12th April, sometime during this push.

His World War 2 medal entitlement would have been Burma Star, 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal, Victory Medal.

Please contact me, Andy Wade with any information.