Frank Ronald Escott O'Connor
Frank Ronald Escott O'Connor (1904-1943)
1943 Obituary [1]
Major FRANK RONALD ESCOTT O'CONNOR, R.E., whose death occurred on active service on 23rd March 1943, was born in New Zealand in 1904, and after a course of study at Victoria University he received his practical training under the city engineer of Wellington from 1923 to 1927. In the latter year he became assistant engineer, and was engaged on the construction of the city airport. From 1928 to 1931 he occupied the position of assistant district engineer.
After four years' experience in England (from 1931 to 1935) as assistant to the borough engineer and surveyor of Edmonton, where he was chiefly engaged on the construction of concrete roads and tramway tracks, he went to Palestine as works engineer to the municipality of Jaffa in connection with the new water supply. During this appointment, the riots of 1937-8 occurred, and Major O'Connor rendered valuable assistance in restoring order, for which he was awarded the Palestine Medal. In 1939 he was appointed assistant director of designs on the staff of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty Building Committee, then engaged on a large and important scheme of water supply; in addition Major O'Connor acted temporarily as chief local purchase officer of all engineering material for the combined forces in Egypt.
For his work in Headquarters, Cairo, he was mentioned in dispatches in 1940. He was elected an Associate of the Institution as recently as 1941, and was also an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers