'For devotion to duty as Transport Sergeant of this Battalion. 8/980A Sergeant James O'Connor, whether the Battalion was holding a sector of the line or advancing against the enemy, has never failed to get forward his waggons or pack animals with the rations, throughout the advance of the past few weeks the unit was never without its complete rations, largely due to Sergeant O'Connor's efforts. This NCO has been unremitting in his devotion to duty, and the Battalion transport won the Brigade Competition held in June last.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 18 January 1919

Regimental number	8/980
Address	Moa Flat, Heriot
Marital status	Single
Next of kin	Brother, C O'Connor, Moa Flat, Heriot, Otago
Rank on embarkation	Private
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Otago Infantry Battalion
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 16 October 1914
	Members of the Otago Infantry Battalion, Main Body, left Wellington on 16 October 1914 on two ships, HMNZT 9 'Hawke's Bay' and HMNZT 5 'Ruapehu'. From the Nominal Roll it is not possible to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rank	Sergeant
Final unit	1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
Medals	Meritorious Service Medal 'For devotion to duty as Transport Sergeant of this Battalion. 8/980A Sergeant James O'Connor, whether the Battalion was holding a sector of the line or advancing against the enemy, has never failed to get forward his waggons or pack animals with the rations, throughout the advance of the past few weeks the unit was never without its complete rations, largely due to Sergeant O'Connor's efforts. This NCO has been unremitting in his devotion to duty, and the Battalion transport won the Brigade Competition held in June last.' Source: London Gazette Date: 18 January 1919
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Main Body