Private Daisy O'Brien, 99044/w

Private Daisy O’Brien (nee Ovens) was born in London, United Kingdom, on December 28, 1914. She grew up in Swanbourne, a small village northwest of London, and graduated from eighth grade. Prior to enlisting she worked as a kitchen maid for Lord and Lady Cotesloe of Wistoe Hall, Swanbourne. 

Pte. O’Brien enlisted on January 16, 1942, in Droitwich, Worcester, a town near Birmingham, and joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army. It was formed in 1938 and provided vital support in non-combat roles including administrative tasks, logistics support, and operating anti-aircraft defenses. This freed up men for combat and gave the women opportunities for personal growth and leadership that opened the world to them. 

She took training as part of ‘A’ Platoon at the ATS Training Centre in Worcester. Travel across the English Channel to France was on a “flat boat”, a boxy type of landing craft that featured sides and stern made from plywood to make them light and save steel. They could run right up on a beach, and the front of the craft would lower to create an exit ramp. They carried about 35 people and could reverse quickly to efficiently complete a landing circuit in a matter of minutes. 

Pvt. O’Brien landed at Arromanches Beach in Normandy, and proceeded to nearby Bayeux. She worked as a cook for the officers in France and Belgium. It was while she was stationed in Brussels that she met her future husband, Patrick O’Brien, while both were on R&R. One of her ATS responsibilities was as Officers’ Cook at the Potsdam Conference in Germany. This was held from July 17 to August 2, 1945, and was convened to plan the post-war peace of Europe. The heads of state of the Allied forces - Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, Clement Atlee, and Harry Truman - attended the conference, along with ambassadors, foreign ministers, military heads, and interpreters for the various officials. 

She was discharged from service on April 28, 1946, and married Patrick a year later. They moved to Canada, settled in Uxbridge, and had four children, Raymond, Pamela, Barry, and Catherine. Daisy enjoyed life here as a housewife and mother, and was interested in gardening, her church, cooking, and her family, which grew to include 9 grandkids and 13 great-grandkids. She is buried in the Uxbridge Cemetery.

We thank her for her service.