2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
31/10/1914 (Killed in Action)
Age:
43
Summary
James O'Neill was born about 1871 in Dungannon. He married in 1910 and had two children. the family lived in Dungannon. Private James O'Neill was serving with "A" Company in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in Belgium on 31st October 1914,
Further Information
James O'Neill was born about 1871 in Dungannon. Nothing is known of his family.
James O'Neill and Lilly Bloomer were married on 7th February 1910 in the district of Dungannon.
The 1911 census lists James as age 40, living with his wife and family at house 35 in Irish Street, Dungannon. James was a labourer.
Family: James O'Neill, Elizabeth O'Neill, James O'Neill (born 9th November 1910), Francis O'Neill (born 6th August 1913)
James O’Neill re-joined the colours on 12th August 1914 and left for the Front on 14th September 1914.
Private James O'Neill was serving with "A" Company in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action during the course of the battle in front of Ypres, in which the London Scottish distinguished themselves on 31st October 1914, age 57.
Private O'Neill was the first man from the Dungannon district to lose his life during the Great War,
From the Tyrone Courier dated 26th November 1914:
First Dungannon Man to Fall. Intimation has been received from the War Office that Private James O'Neill, Wilson's Lane, Dungannon, a reservist of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has been killed in action on the 31st October, during the course of the battle in front of Ypres, in which the London Scottish distinguished themselves. Private O'Neill, who was the first man from the Dungannon district to lose his life during the present war, leaves a wife and two little children, ages four years and sixteen months respectively. He rejoined the colours on 12th August and left for the Front on 16th September.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th November 1914:
O’NEILL – 31st October, killed in action at the Battle of Ypres, Private James O’Neill, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, of Wilson’s Lane, Dungannon.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th November 1914: Private James O’Neill
Intimation has been received in Dungannon on Tuesday from the War Office that Private James O’Neill, Wilson’s Lane, Dungannon, a reservist of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has been killed in action on the 31st October, during the severe struggle which waged in front of Ypres, in which the London Scottish greatly distinguished themselves. Private O’Neill leaves a wife and two little children, aged four years and sixteen months respectively. He is the first soldier from Dungannon district to be killed in the war. He rejoined the colours on 12th August, and left for the front on 16th September.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 21st January 1915:
The published list of casualties in yesterday's issue contains the names of Private Robert Averall, Brooke Street, Dungannon, and Private James O'Neill, Wilson's Lane, both of whom belonged to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and have been killed in action. The War Office had however notified their relatives of the distressing occurrences some time ago.
James left behind his wife Elizabeth and two little children, aged four years and sixteen months respectively.
Private James O'Neill has no known grave and is commemorated on on Panel 5 of the Ploegsteert Memorial at Hainaut in Belgium.
Private James O'Neill is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
The CWGC record Private James O'Neill as the husband of Elizabeth O'Neill of 11 Linfield Street, Dungannon, County Tyrone.
