O'BERG, Oscar Leslie

Oscar was the third of fourteen children born to his parents Maleus and Mary Oberg. His Swedish born father had lived in the Inverell District from the 1890s. Having been a member of the LIght Horse prior to the War, Oscar would have had some basic military training.

As he enlisted at Inverell on 10 January 1916, he is likely to have been one of the men who came forward at the huge recruiting rally attended by the men of the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs just prior to their departure. He left Inverell on 1 February 1916 for Narrabri camp and then trained with the 33rd Battalion 4th Reinforcements. Before sailing for England in October 1916, he attended Musketry School at Liverpool NSW.

After further training in England, Oscar went to France in March 1917. Three months later, during the Battle of Messines, he received a gunshot wound to his right hand which resulted in the loss of his forefinger. He returned to England and was admitted to University War Hospital at Southampton where the decision was made to return him to Australia. After arriving home in December 1917, Oscar was discharged the following year and granted a pension of one pound ($2) per fortnight.

Private Oscar Leslie O'Berg is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the town's World War 1 Honor Roll. His name is also on the Inverell Intermediate High School Roll of Honor.

Photo: Submitted by family