S21047
ONEILL, John Patrick
| Service Number: | 2811 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 July 1915, Enlisted at Keswick, SA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | North Adelaide, South Australia, 18 March 1892 |
| Home Town: | Torrensville, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Locomotive Fireman |
| Died: | South Australia, 27 November 1971, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia Catholic, Row BB, Grave 65. Interred on 29 November 1971. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2811, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), Enlisted at Keswick, SA | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 2811, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of England embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 2811, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), HMAT Star of England, Adelaide | |
| 11 Aug 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2811, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), Wound to the head. Embarked for England on 3 September 1916 aboard HS Dieppe | |
| 1 Jun 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2811, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), Discharged at the 4th Military District as medically unfit due to wounding |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Biography of Private John Patrick O'Neill (1892–1971)
Early Life and Family Background
John Patrick O'Neill was born on 18 March 1892 in North Adelaide, South Australia, the eldest son of Thomas John O'Neill and Bridget Veronica O'Farrell.
Father: Thomas John O'Neill
Born 4 June 1868, Yankalilla, South Australia
Died 26 January 1936, North Adelaide
Mother: Bridget Veronica O'Farrell
Born 1868, Kilkenny, Ireland
Married Thomas John O'Neill on 2 June 1891 at Goodwood, Adelaide (S.A. BDM Ref: 167/958)
Died 14 August 1935, South Australia
John grew up in a Roman Catholic household, part of Adelaide's strong Irish community. He attended local schools (still to be identified) and later took up employment as a locomotive fireman, working on South Australian Railways.
By the time of the First World War, he was living at Ashwin Parade, Torrensville, South Australia.
Enlistment and Training
At the age of 23, John enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 12 July 1915 at Keswick Barracks, Adelaide.
Regimental Number: 2811
Rank: Private
Unit: 16th Battalion, 9th Reinforcements
Religion: Roman Catholic
Next of Kin: Recorded as his wife, Mrs. B.V. O'Neill (later updated to Elsie May O'Neill after his marriage).
He entered camp the same day and was allotted to the 16th Battalion on 16 August 1915.
Overseas Service
Private O'Neill embarked from Adelaide on 22 September 1915 aboard HMAT Star of England (A15), bound for the Middle East.
Egypt (1915–1916): John completed training in Egypt as the AIF reorganised following the Gallipoli campaign.
Gallipoli (1915): Though arriving after the initial landings, he was associated with the 16th Battalion, which had already endured heavy losses.
France (1916): In early 1916, he was transferred with his battalion to the Western Front.
Wounded at Pozieres
On 28 August 1916, during the fierce fighting at Pozieres, France, John was wounded in action.
Injury: Gunshot wound (shrapnel) to the scalp
Evacuation: Treated at Rouen and later transferred to the Northern General Hospital, Leeds, England
Initially reported as "seriously ill", later recorded as "progressing favourably."
He remained in hospital for many months due to complications.
Return and Discharge
Embarked for Australia: 13 February 1917 aboard HT Benalla
Disembarked: 10 April 1917
Discharged: 1 June 1917 at Keswick Barracks
Reason: Medically unfit for further service (not due to misconduct)
Total Service: 1 year 325 days
Service Abroad: 1 year 201 days
Conduct: Recorded as Good
Medals
John received the following campaign medals for his service:
1914/15 Star (No. 3143)
British War Medal (No. 3694)
Victory Medal (No. 3647)
War Pensions
After discharge, John was awarded a military pension:
2 June 1917: Pension of £3 per fortnight
27 June 1917: Adjusted to £1/10/- per fortnight (for wife Elsie May O'Neill)
6 December 1917: Pension decreased further as per War Pension Act reviews
These changes reflected the common hardships returned soldiers and their families faced after the war.
Marriage and Family
Shortly after returning home, John married Elsie May Murphy on 27 June 1917 at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Adelaide.
Elsie May Murphy
Born 19 March 1894, Port Adelaide
Daughter of Edward Thomas Murphy and Annie Mills
Died 9 October 1975, Glenelg, aged 81
Together they had at least two daughters:
Carmel Theresa O'Neill – born 7 November 1924, Largs, South Australia
Dolores Imelda O'Neill – born 16 June 1927, Semaphore, South Australia
Post-War Life
After the war, John returned to civilian life in Adelaide. His occupation is noted as railway fireman, and later correspondence shows he lived at 3 College Street, Glenelg.
In 1954, he applied for a War Service Home but discovered his discharge papers had been lost, possibly during a house fire. He wrote to the Base Records Office, requesting a replacement. A Statutory Declaration signed in August 1954 confirms this loss.
The Department issued him a Statement of Service and confirmed his entitlement to a War Service Home. His difficulties highlight the struggles many veterans faced in securing post-war support.
Later Years and Death
John Patrick O'Neill passed away on 27 November 1971 at Glenelg, South Australia, aged 79.
He was buried at Enfield Memorial Park, Clearview, South Australia, in the Catholic Section, Row BB, Grave 65, on 29 November 1971. His wife Elsie was later interred with him after her death in 1975.
Legacy
Private John Patrick O'Neill's story is one of duty, sacrifice, and resilience. Born into a proud Irish Catholic family in Adelaide, he served his nation with honour on the Western Front, suffering wounds that ended his military career. Despite challenges with health, pensions, and bureaucracy, he built a family life with his wife Elsie and their children.
His life reflects the broader experience of many South Australians who went to war: the cost of service, the long-lasting scars of conflict, and the quiet perseverance of returned soldiers in rebuilding their lives.
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 29/09/2025
Biography contributed by Carol Foster
Son of Thomas John O'Neill and Bridget Veronica O'Neill nee O'Farrell of Ashwin Parade, Torrensville, SA.
Commenced return to Australia on 13 February 1917 aboard HS Benalla disembarking on 10 April 1917
Medals: 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
On 27 June 1917 John married Elsie May Murphy in St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Adelaide, SA.
In 1967 John was residing in Sussex Street, Glenelg, SA
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