John O'Neill

Killed in Action on the 27/10/1918 at Topsa, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia

On the 07/08/1918 the Battalion sailed from Newcastle on ship “City of Cairo”. They landed at North Russia on the 27/08/1918 as part of the Archangel Force. John was Killed in Action in Northern Russia. John's comrade Private Rae (62412) said "At Topsa on the 27th October 1918 I saw Private O'Neill hit in the body. I think he was killed instantly". (see Service Record 13). British troops had landed there to guard Allied supply dumps which had built up during the war. They were also there to help the Whites in their civil war with the Reds (Communists). John's Record reads he absent off embarkation leave at Berwick-on-Tweed on the 05/04/1918, he failed to comply to an order in Dundalk on the 12/05/1918 and he was found in bed 45 minutes after reveille on the 18/07/1918 and was confined to barracks for 2 days (see Service Records 5,6,7,8,9,10). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Archangel Memorial Panel List, his Service Records x 16, John's Pension Records x 2 and the Royal Scots Cap Badge.