Michael O'Leary
Lance-Corporal, 1st Battalion Irish Guards
- Register No.
- 943 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lance-Corporal (register: Lance Corporal) all Lance-Corporals →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion Irish Guards all Irish Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 1 February 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 18th February 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- 29th September 1888 at Macroom, Inchigeela, County Cork,
- Died
- 2nd August 1961 at London
- Memorial / grave
- in Paddington Cemetery, Mill Hill, London
Digest of citation
When forming one of the storming party at Cuinchy, France, on the 1st February 1915, which advanced against the enemy barricades, Lance-Corporal O'Leary crossed to the fore and alone killed five Germans who were holding the first barricade. He went on to attack a second barricade, 60 yards further along and after killing three of the enemy, captured it and took two prisoners. By his action, he practically captured the enemy positions by himself, he also prevented the rest of the attacking party from being fired upon by the enemy
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
O'LEARY, Michael. (reg No. 943).
Lance-Corporal. 1st Battalion Irish Guards.
London Gazetted on 18th February 1915.
Born on 29th September 1888 at Macroom, Inchigeela, County Cork, Ireland.
Died on 2nd August 1961 at London.
Memorial on grave in Paddington Cemetery, Mill Hill, London.
Digest of Citation reads: When forming one of the storming party at Cuinchy, France, on the 1st February 1915, which advanced against the enemy barricades, Lance-Corporal O'Leary crossed to the fore and alone killed five Germans who were holding the first barricade. He went on to attack a second barricade, 60 yards further along and after killing three of the enemy, captured it and took two prisoners. By his action, he practically captured the enemy positions by himself, he also prevented the rest of the attacking party from being fired upon by the enemy.
Additional information:. Major O'Leary also held Cross of the Order of St George, Third-Class of Russia. He was mentioned in Despatches twice, in 1914 and again in 1915. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the Connaught Rangers. Michael O'Leary had been in the Royal Navy before joining the Irish Guards. After serving seven years he left for Canada. Here he joined the Royal Canadian North-West Mounted Police At the outbreak of the European War (WW I) he rejoined the Irish Guards. By November 1914 he held the rank of Lance-Corporal and was serving in France. He served in the Second World War from 1940-44 with the Middlesex Regiment and with the Pioneer Corps from 1944-45 More to be added.
Additional information
Major O'Leary also held Cross of the Order of St George, Third-Class of Russia. He was mentioned in Despatches twice, in 1914 and again in 1915. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the Connaught Rangers. Michael O'Leary had been in the Royal Navy before joining the Irish Guards. After serving seven years he left for Canada. Here he joined the Royal Canadian North-West Mounted Police At the outbreak of the European War (WW I) he rejoined the Irish Guards. By November 1914 he held the rank of Lance-Corporal and was serving in France. He served in the Second World War from 1940-44 with the Middlesex Regiment and with the Pioneer Corps from 1944-45 More to be added.
Ireland.
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Alf recorded the memorial as: in Paddington Cemetery, Mill Hill, London
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