The AIF Project

Kevin O'NEILL

Regimental number1260
Place of birthGympie Queensland
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationStockman
AddressGlastonbury, Gympie, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinMother, Mrs Helen O'Neill, Glastonbury, Gympie, Queensland
Enlistment date25 November 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll25 November 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name42nd Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/59/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A30 Borda on 5 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal RollArmy Provost Corps
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'Courage and devotion to duty as runner.' (Near Le barque, 24-26 February 1917).
Recommendation date: 10 March 1917

FateReturned to Australia 23 July 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Queensland Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Military Medal

'Near LE BARQUE, FRANCE, on 24/26 February, 1917, Private O'NEILL displayed the greatest bravery and devotion to duty throughout the operations. He was employed as a runner between Battalion headquarters and the front line, to which he had to continually pass through heavy artillery and machine gun fire, and enemy sniping.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 140
Date: 27 August 1917

Other details

War service: Western Front

Extract from 9th Battalion History, Pages 196-197, 1914-1918: On this day Lieutenant Divine was killed. Lieutenant Bailey was also killed. Lieutenant Bluett was mortally wounded, his lower jaw being shot away. Lieutenant Wheatley was wounded. The Battalions position was shelled all the next day, but 5 November proved to be quiet on its front. On account of the heavy shell-fire the telephone lines were constantly being broken, and in consequence much of the communication depended on the runners. In this hazardous work, Kevin O'Neill out-shone the others. On one occasion he was given a message for all companies. He set off with it, and about one hour later he returned, reported that the messages had been delivered and then collapsed . He had been wounded in the chest soon after leaving Headquarters, but he had completed his task before succumbing to the wound. On the evening of 5 November the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Battalion and went back in small parties to Ypres. The total casualties for this tour on the line were seven officers and 102 others.

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Date of death1 May 1975

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