Wednesday 14 June 2023

411095 F/sergeant Leslie John O'Neill, RNZAF, 1922-30/3/1943. "crashed on take off"


KILLED IN ACTION

Sergeant L. J. O’Neill 

Sergeant Leslie John O'Neill, killed in action, was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs J. P. O'Neill, of Studholme Junction, and was in his twenty-first year. He was educated at the Temuka and Nukuroa Schools, and then joined the staff of the Studholme Post Office. Finding indoor work irksome he resigned and was employed on farms in the Studholme and Willowbridge districts till he enlisted in the Air Force. He left New Zealand on March 2, 1941, for Canada, where he qualified as a sergeant. He then sailed for England where he completed his training and was placed on active service. Later he was transferred to the Middle East where he lost his life on March 30.  -Timaru Herald, 30/4/1943.


Leslie O'Neill was the wireless operator of a twin-engined Blenheim bomber which took off from Oulmene, Algeria, to attack enemy transport.  The Blenheim crashed on take-off, killing all three men aboard.


ROLL OF HONOUR 

IN MEMORIAM

O'NEILL — In loving memory of Sergeant Leslie John, R.N.Z.A.F., killed in action, Algiers, March 30, 1943. 

Ever before us his memory is kept, We loved him too dearly to ever forget.

 — Inserted by his loving father, sister and brothers.  -Timaru Herald, 29/3/1945.


Timaru Cemetery.

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