John O'Neill

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 23/08/1914 and were part of the 10th Brigade, 4th Division. John arrived in France on the 30/12/1915. John was wounded and hospitalised in August 1916. He re-joined his Regiment in January 1917 and was again wounded 3 months later at the 1st Battle of the Scarpe, 9th - 14th April 1917. This time he sadly didn't recover. The Battle was part of the The Arras offensive (Battle of Arras), 9th April - 16th June 1917 : Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in support to a larger French offensive : the Battles of the Chemin des Dames and the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive - often known as the Battle of Arras - bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly. John is listed as JAMES with the CWGC and on his GRAVE in Fampoux British Cemetery. THIS IS HIS FATHERS NAME. He is also listed by the CWGC and on his GRAVE as being 24 years old. His Census Record and Service Record (1) make his age 22 years old. This is what I've listed. John is also remembered on the Gartsherrie Works (as O'NEIL) and St. Patrick's Church Rolls of Honour (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his family on the 1901 Ireland Census, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his Service Record x 2, Fampoux British Cemetery, John's Pension Record x 2, John's Will x 4 and the Royal Irish Fusiliers Cap Badge. John's grave inscription reads "OF DREENAN, CO. DERRY".