John Joseph O'Neill

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 16/11/2015 - 12:36
First Name: 
John
Middle Name: 
Joseph
Last Name: 
O'Neill
Date of Birth: 
Thursday, May 31, 1894
Mother's Name: 
Catherine O'Neill nee Murphy
Father's Name: 
Cornelius O'Neill
Date Enlisted: 
Saturday, September 4, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
55th Battalion
Company: 
B
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Saturday, November 30, 1918
Place of Death: 
Prison of War (Schneidemühl) Camp, Germany
Cause of Death: 
Influenza/ Spanish flu
Details: 

John ONeill (Service No 4866) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W.

When John enlisted at the age of 21 he was single and working as a carpenter.  John had previously 1 year in senior cadets and 3 years with 37th Infantry Militia.

He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A15 Star of England with 15th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion, on 8th March 1916.  The troops arrived in Egypt on 11th April 1916 and John was transferred to 55th Battalion on 21st April 1916.  He was admitted to hospital the next day having contracted mumps, and returned to 55th Battalion on 3rd May.

With B Company, 55th Battalion, John arrived in France on 29th June 1916.  The 55th Battalion was part of the battle for Fromelles, and on the night of 19/ 20 July 1916, John, along with many others, was taken prisoner.

John was interred in Schneidumuhl Camp. Sadly he died on 30th November 1918 from Influenza, also referred to as Spanish Grippe.

John is buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Stahnsdorf, Germany; Plot II, Row E, Grave 4.

John is commemorated in the Wollongong General Cemetery, Wollongong, N.S.W.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, O'NEILL JOHN JOSEPH

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