Saddler Corporal Robert O'Neill
Robert O'Neill was born on 28 August 1893 in Drummaul, Ballymena, County Antrim, the sixth of seven children of linen weaver Joseph O'Neill and his wife Ann (née Moore). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 49 Waterloo Road, Larne, with his parents and four of his siblings, and working as a harness maker's apprentice.
O'Neill enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 26 October and 6 November 1914 (No. UD/102 – later Corps of Dragoons No.21240). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.
In June 1916 the squadron was brought together with B and C Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In September 1917 the regiment was disbanded and its men were transferred to the infantry. By that time, however, O'Neill was no longer with the regiment. He had either returned to the Inniskillings reserve depot at Enniskillen, perhaps following illness or injury, or as one record suggests, been attached to the 12th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.
On 12 March 1919 O'Neill was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve. He returned to his home at 49 Waterloo Road and found work as a smith's helper. He later served in the Special Constabulary.
On 12 July 1920 he married Agnes Lord in the Larne Congregational Church.
In 1927 O'Neill and his family emigrated to Canada. He died in Morden, Manitoba, on 27 September 1967 and was buried in the Hillside Cemetery.
Honour Certificate
From a list of Honour Certificates presented, Larne Times, 19 January 1918
Two of O'Neill's brothers also served during the war – John O'Neill in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron and Andrew O'Neill in the North Irish Horse.
Images sourced from Ancestry.com Public Member Trees – contributors 'barryo167' and 'musicarolyn1'.
This page last updated 20 March 2023.