John O'Neill
Sergeant, 2nd Battalion. Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment
- Register No.
- 946 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment (register: Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment) all Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 14 October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 26th December 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 11th February 1897 at Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland
- Died
- 16th October 1942 at Hoylake, Cheshire
- Memorial / grave
- at the Holy Trinity Churchyard, Hoylake, Cheshire
Digest of citation
For most conspicuous bravery on 14th October 1918, near Moorseele, Belgium, when his company's advance was checked by two enemy machine-guns and a field battery that was firing over open sights. Leading a charge consisting of himself and 11 men against the battery, they captured four field guns, two machine guns and took 16 prisoners. On the 20th October 1918 Sergeant O'Neill and one other man charged an enemy machine-gun position, routing approximately 100 of the enemy and causing many casualties. Throughout these operations he showed the most outstanding courage and powers of leadership
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
O'NEILL, * John. (reg No. 946).
Sergeant. 2nd Battalion. Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment.
London Gazetted on 26th December 1918.
Born on 11th February 1897 at Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Died on 16th October 1942 at Hoylake, Cheshire.
Memorial on grave at the Holy Trinity Churchyard, Hoylake, Cheshire.
Digest of Citation reads: For most conspicuous bravery on 14th October 1918, near Moorseele, Belgium, when his company's advance was checked by two enemy machine-guns and a field battery that was firing over open sights. Leading a charge consisting of himself and 11 men against the battery, they captured four field guns, two machine guns and took 16 prisoners. On the 20th October 1918 Sergeant O'Neill and one other man charged an enemy machine-gun position, routing approximately 100 of the enemy and causing many casualties. Throughout these operations he showed the most outstanding courage and powers of leadership.
* or O'NIELL.
Additional information:. Lieutenant John O'Neill also held a Military Medal (M M), and the Médaille Militaire of France. During the Second World War he served in the Pioneer Corps.
Additional information
Lieutenant John O'Neill also held a Military Medal (M M), and the Médaille Militaire of France. During the Second World War he served in the Pioneer Corps.
* or O'NIELL.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at the Holy Trinity Churchyard, Hoylake, Cheshire
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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