MILITARY HISTORY

Private Thomas O’Neil — 195321 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

Thomas O’Neil was 35 years, 5 months old when, as a married man, he was Attested in the Canadian Army (CA), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Peterborough, Ontario on November 15, 1915. He was enlisted on November 23, 1915 with the 93rd Canadian Overseas Battalion (Cdn O/S Bn), CEF for the duration of the War. Theodore was born in Ireland on June 24, 1880. He was 5′ 2½” tall, medium complexion, blue eyes, medium brown hair, had a 36″ chest (expanded) and weighed 126 pounds. Thomas gave his occupation as a Labourer and his next-of-kin was his wife, Mary O’Neil, living in Lakefield, Ontario. He indicated that he had no experience with the Militia Force nor the Military Force. Thomas’s Medical Examination was done at the 57th Regiment in Peterborough on November 15, 1915; he had Pleurisy in 1910; had a scar below his right knee and was found fit for duty. Then, the same day, he was assigned the Rank of Private (Pte); given Regimental Number 195321 and taken-on-strength to the 93rd Cdn O/S Bn CEF.

June 27, 1916 personal data was given: wife May Christina and a boy, Thomas Joseph Gamett O’Neil living in Lakefield. It was also indicated that Pte O’Neil was insured by the Prudential Company and both parents were dead. July 1, 1916 Pte O’Neil made a Pay Assignment of $20.00 monthly to his wife. On July 15, 1916 Pte O’Neil embarked the SS Empress of Britain at Halifax, Nova Scotia for England. He disembarked at Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916 with the 93rd Cdn O/S Bn CEF.

Pte O’Neil was in England training with the 93rd Cdn O/S Bn for about 2 months, 1 week when, on October 6, 1916 he was struck-off-strength from the 93rd Cdn O/S Bn on transfer to the 39th Canadian Infantry Battalion Reserve (Cdn Inf Bn Res) at West Sandling, England. There was another 2-month gap in Pte O’Neil’s File when he would have been doing more advanced training in England. Then on December 5, 1916 he was struck-off-strength from the 39th Cdn Inf Bn Res to the 87th Cdn Inf Bn (Overseas) Reserve. December 6, 1916 Pte O’Neil was taken-on-strength to the 87th Cdn Inf Bn (Overseas) Reserve in the Field in France.

A 3-month gap used for training with his Unit in France. March 19, 1917 Pte O’Neil, with the 87th Cdn Inf Bn (Overseas) Reserve, is attached to the 182nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers (RE). April 6, 1917 he ceases to be attached to the 182nd Tunnelling Company, RE.
An 8-month gap from April 6, 1917 to January 1, 1918 with the 87th Cdn Inf Bn would have seen Pte O’Neil training and on deployments. January 1, 1918 Pte O’Neil started a Separation Allowance of $45.00 monthly to his wife. April 8, 1918 Pte O’Neil is in the No 5 CGH at Liverpool. Another gap of 9 months would be utilized like the previous ones. October 18, 1918 he was admitted to the No 2 Casualty Clearing Station in the Field, with a gunshot wound (GSW) to his right thigh (flesh); also described as a machine gun shrapnel wound. October 22, 1918 Pte O’Neil was admitted to the No 22 General Hospital (GH) at Camiers, France. October 29, 1918 Pte O’Neil is invalided and posted to the Québec Regiment Depot (QRD) and taken-on-strength from the 87th Cdn Inf Bn. October 30, 1918 he was transferred to the Queen Mary’s Military Hospital at Whalley Lancashire, England with a GSW at his shoulder and thigh. December 17, 1918 Pte O’Neil was transferred to the QRD Casualty Retraining Centre at Bexhill.

January 1, 1919 Pte O’Neil is admitted to the No 13 Canadian General Hospital (CGH) at Hastings, England with a GSW to his right thigh. February 7, 1919 he is at the No 11 CGH at Shorncliffe, England. March 6, 1919 he was in the CGH at Moore Barracks

On a Medical History Sheet dated March 10, 1919:
Pte O’Neil weighs 122 pounds and his left eye is defective.
March 6, 1919 he suffered a GSW to his right thigh and was invalided to Canada May 5, 1919.
He was with: the 93rd Cdn Inf Bn CEF; 39th Cdn Inf Bn CEF and the 87th Cdn Inf Bn.

October 30 to December 17, 1918 with GSW to right thigh – severe; 49 days in Hospital.
Severe laceration on right thigh exercised and drained. Wound now very much (October 18, 1918)
reduced in size, a clean granulating area remaining over outer and upper side (October 20, 1918).
Right thigh requiring second suture (November 6, 1918). Transferred to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Red Cross Hospital (PPCRCH) at Bexhill on Sea. (November 12, 1918)

December 17, 1918 to January 29, 1919: at the PPCRCH at Cooden Camp Bexhill for 43 days then transferred to No 13 CGH at Hastings.

January 30, 1919 to February 7, 1919 at No 13 CGH with GSW to right thigh for 8 days.
On admission a 6″ x 1″ granulated area over outer side of right thigh, slight discharge – no bone injury – healing.

February 7, 1919 to April 3, 1919 transferred to Shorncliffe to the No 11 CGH with GSW to right thigh 56 days. At present wound fairly clean also cicatrisation proceeding slowly. No bone calcification, getting about without crutches.

May 5, 1919 Pte O’Neil was invalided to Canada with Sailing List 502 to the No 3 Military District (MD), Kingston. May 17, 1919 he arrived at Portland, Maine aboard the (Hospital Ship) HS Essequibo; from there he would have travelled by train to Kingston, Ontario. May 18, 1919 Pte O’Neil was taken-on-strength to No 3 MD and the same day was transferred to the Clearing Depot at Kingston. Pte O’Neil was then posted to the Hospital Section of Queen’s University Military Hospital (MH) with a Gunshot Wound to his right thigh. May 19, 1919 he is granted Leave, with a Subsistence Allowance, to June 2, 1919. May 21, 1919 Pte O’Neil was taken-on-strength to No 3 DD and posted to Queen’s University MH at Kingston.

On a Medical History Sheet dated June 20, 1919:
CONDITION ON ADMISSION AND PROGRESS OF CASE Man enlisted in November 1915. Went to France in December 1916. Wounded October 18, 1918. Shrapnel wound outer side of right thigh indicated by a scar 8″ long about middle of outer surface. Exit indicated by a scar 3″ long on posterior surface outer side of biceps. No effects on nerves. Leg is moderately weak. Man can walk about one mile when leg becomes tired necessitating rest. No limitation of movement of any of the joints. Manis up to normal in weight. He also complains of dyspnea, in damp weather, with a tight feeling across chest. Coughs some with some expectoration. Examination of sputum negative for T.B. Urine normal.
THERAPY Rest, Rx, Massages, electricity, etc. CONDITION ON DISCHARGE: Fit for discharge from Hospital.

On June 20, 1919 he was transferred back to the Casualty Company from the Hospital Section of Queen’s MH. June 21, 1919 Pte O’Neil was received from the Hospital Section of Queen’s MH. June 24, 1919 Private Thomas O’Neil is struck-off-strength from the Canadian Army for discharge due to being medically unfit (MU). June 25, 1919 Private Thomas O’Neil is discharged to Lakefield with a pensionable disability.

Private Thomas O’Neil’s File indicates that he was eligible to receive the following medals which were shipped to him after he was discharged, the:
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He would have also received the CEF Class “B” War Service Badge.
Thomas O’Neil’s medals and decorations were dispatched December 6, 1921.

Private Thomas O’Neil served for 9 months and 7 days in Canada; 10 months and 16 days in the United Kingdom; 1 year, 10 months and 24 days in France and 23 days Travel Time for a total time of 3 years, 7 months and 10 days.

Thomas O’Neil would have received a War Service Gratuity but it wasn’t found in his File, a Clothing Allowance of $100.00 and a Rehabilitation Grant would have been provided.

An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:

The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?

PERSONAL HISTORY

THOMAS O’NEIL

Thomas O’Neil was born in Ireland in June 1882 the son of James O’Neil and immigrated to Canada in the early 1900’s. Thomas married Mary Christine Kidd in Peterborough on January 23, 1907. Mary was born August 15, 1883, the daughter of James M. Kidd and Margaret Ferguson of Dummer Township, Peterborough County. Thomas was living in Lakefield when he enlisted to Serve his King and Country; he was also living in Lakefield when he was married.

According to the 1911 Canada Census, Thomas and Mary were living in Peterborough with Mary’s widowed mother and Mary’s siblings. In November 1915, Thomas enlisted to serve his King and Country. At age 35 years, Thomas was found to be fit for service on November 15, 1915 and joined the 93rd Canadian Infantry (Overseas) Battalion.

What happened to Thomas O’Neil after his return home from the War is unknown at this time; he passed away on April 12, 1950. His wife, Mary Christine Kidd, passed away on April 24, 1937 and she is buried with her parents in the United Church Cemetery in Cottesloe, Ontario.

THE THOMAS O’NEIL FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD

According to the marriage record of Thomas O’Neil and Mary Christine Kidd, Thomas’ father was James O’Neil but the name of his mother was listed as unknown. A birth record indicates that Mary Christine Kidd gave birth to a son, Cecil Edward Kidd, born July 26, 1904, prior to her marriage to Thomas O’Neil.