O'NEILL, Henry Patrick
| Service Number: | 2237 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 May 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 59th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Kanmantoo, South Australia, Australia, February 1882 |
| Home Town: | Callington, Mount Barker, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Kanmantoo Public School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in action, France, 8 August 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Heath Cemetery, Picardie, France Plot I, Row A, Grave No. 20. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kanmantoo War Memorial, Monarto Pioneers Memorial Gates Roll of Honor, Nairne War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 9 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2237, 59th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 2237, 59th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '20' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Orsova embarkation_ship_number: A67 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 2237, 59th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Orsova, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Henry Patrick O’Neill was the son of Patrick and Elizabeth O'Neill, of Murray Bridge, South Australia, born near Callington, South Australia. He was known as ‘Harry’ to family and friends.
His brother, 2220 Pte. William Peter O'Neill M.M.& Bar, 48th Battalion AIF, died of wounds inflicted near Dernancourt, France on 8 April 1918, during which he was awarded a bar to the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry.
Harry O’Neill enlisted in Melbourne, Victoria, during May 1916, and was posted to the 59th Battalion. He was taken on strength of the unit on the Western Front in January 1917. He was wounded in action two months later, which damaged his hand and he was evacuated to England with Permanent Base Personnel. He gave himself a holiday in England for over three weeks during July 1917, however at a Court Martial he was found to be not guilty. He rejoined the 59th Battalion at the front in April 1918, and was killed in action on 8 August 1918.
A statement in his service file from his Battalion Commander says he was sniped when on an patrol near the Harbonnieres Railway Station and died within a few minutes of being hit.