Luke O'Neill

Luke 'Neill (Service No 593) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W. around 1888.

He enlisted at the age of 27 in Goondwindi, N.S.W.  Luke was single and worked as a labourer.

He embarked from Brisbane on HMAT A11 Ascanius with A Company, 26th Battalion, on 24th May 1915.

He saw service on Gallipoli from September 1915 until the evacuation, after which he was sent on to France, arriving on 21st March 1916.

Luke was wounded in action at Pozieres on 29th July 1916 and evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of a gun shot wound to his thigh.  He returned to his unit on 20th October 1916.

On 10th March 1917 Luke was promoted to Corporal.

On 26th March 1917 he was wounded a second time and admitted to hospital in France for treatment of a gun shot wound to his face.  He returned to his unit on 24th April 1917.

He continued to serve on the Western Front until he was wounded a third time.  While the details of Luke's injuries are not detailed in his service records, they were severe and Luke died on 16th April 1918.

He is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France: Plot VIII, Row H, Grave 8.

Corporal O'Neill was awarded the Military Medal on 27th August 1917 for his actions on 11th March 1914. The citation on the recommendation for the Military Medal states: 'For conspicuous gallantry in action.In the attack on MALT TRENCH, north of Warlancourt on the night of 1/2 March 1917 he organized and took charge of a bombing party and carried out a successful bombing attack against a strong post.'  Commonwealth Gazette No 140 dated 27th August 1917.