Roy James Moorcroft O'Neill

Roy James Moorcroft O’Neill was the son of William John James and Emily Ann O’Neill.

He enlisted as Roy O’Neill on 18 November 1915 at Liverpool Army Camp Casula NSW. He was 21 years and 1 month of age, formally a Tailors Presser. Roy (No. 5175) joined the 4th Battalion, A.I.F and embarked on 1 April 1916 aboard SS Makarini. According to his Casualty Form available on the National Australian Archives, Roy suffered bouts of sickness and injury during the years 1916 and 1917 including scabies, trench foot, rheumatism as well as a dislocated shoulder.

Roy was in and out of hospital during this time, re-joining his Battalion in between hospitalisation. On 4 October 1917 the Platoon had gained their objective in Broodseinde Ridge and were digging themselves in when Roy was hit in the body by a sniper resulting in serious wounds. He was carried out and died the next day, 5 October 1917. According to the Red Cross files (spelt as Roy James Mooncroft O'Neill), the informant was Sergeant G.A. Grant (4th A.I.F. D. Co X1V Platoon Australian Camp Rouelles). Private Roy James Moorcroft O'Neill is buried at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in the Poperingewest-Vlaanderen area, Belgium.

Private O’Neill is honoured at Panel 41 Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour.

Family credits: Roy O’Neill was the brother of the late Mrs. Florence Gillis nee O’Neill and the late Mrs. Lillian Kennedy nee: O’Neill, and Uncle of Mrs Madeleine Smith Wollongong. Photos by Leonard Smith, Great Nephew of Roy. Content contributed by Kevin James Gillis, Great Nephew of Roy.