29065 Private Thomas O'Neill, (18/11/1879-5/4/1918). "a highly offensive temper"

Thomas O'Neill was with the 1st Battalion of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment when the German Army launched its last-chance offensive in the spring of 1918.  It ultimately failed, and New Zealand troops being rushed into gaps torn in the line played a vital part in its failure.

At 5 a.m. on the morning of April 5th the enemy began a heavy bombardment of the Divisional area, as far back as Bus-les-Artois, and launched several attacks on different parts of the front during the day. Only one attack was successful, and in this the enemy overwhelmed the garrison of La Signy Farm, in the 3rd (Rifle) Brigade's sector, and succeeded in holding his gains there.

The 1st Canterbury Battalion was attacked at 9 a.m., the enemy working up the saps leading towards our front line trenches, till the blocks established by us forced him to come into the open. Although our trenches had been badly damaged by the bombardment, and casualties had been rather heavy, the attack was beaten off by fire from rifles, Lewis-guns, and machine-guns, with severe loss to the enemy. The attack was renewed at 2 p.m., but in a half-hearted way: the attackers were again driven off by small-arms fire, and the attack was not pressed.

One party of the enemy succeeded in entering the line, on the front of the brigade on the right flank of the 1st Battalion, where the garrison of a post had withdrawn without giving information of their movement. Corporal White, of the 2nd Company, promptly led a bombing party against this party of the enemy, and drove it out, taking ten prisoners. During the day a Lewis-gun of the 12th Company of this battalion brought down a low-flying enemy aeroplane, which had been obtaining very useful information all the morning, and the pilot and observer were captured. There were no attacks made against the 2nd Battalion during the day.

The attacks of April 5th were the last the Canterbury Regiment was called upon to repel; for though, during the rest of the month (notably on the 13th and 17th), there were several occasions on which the enemy was expected to attack, and all preparations were made to receive him, yet these turned out to be false alarms. On looking back, therefore, the conditions may be said to have returned to those of trench warfare: but of trench warfare where the enemy was in a highly offensive temper.

Thomas was not the best of solders behind the lines.  He was punished for minor offences, such as being AWOL, a few times.  But he was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in February, 1919.  I have not been able to find details of the award.

Thomas lies buried in the Serre Road Cemetery, France.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

DEATHS

O'NETLL. On April 5, killed while in action "Somewhere in France," Private Thomas O'Neill (16th Reinforcements), only beloved son of Edward O'Neill, 57 Macandrew road, South Dunedin; aged 37 years. R.I.P.   -Otago Daily Tmes, 20/4/1918.

Thomas is recorded as not being married in his Army record, but the existence of an illegitimate daughter is recognised, and payments from Thomas' pay were made to her.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.