Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War North Africa operations M.M. group of five awarded to Gunner W. O’Neill, Royal Artillery, who was subsequently taken P.O.W. at Tobruk

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4451867 Gnr. W. O’Neill, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, the first with edge bruising, otherwise very fine and better (5) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 24 February 1942. The original recommendation - for a D.C.M. - states:

‘On 13 December 1941, during the operations south-west of Tobruk, Gunner O’Neill was manning a gun of ‘D’ (Kirkee) Troop, 31/58th Field Battery, 25th Field Regiment, R.A., when the Battery was attacked by 40 German tanks.

The Troop was subjected to heavy and accurate shell and small arms fire and two of Gunner O’Neill’s detachment were severely wounded. O’Neill carried these men to the Command Post and then returned to his gun which was still able to fire.

Later, when his Troop Commander was wounded, he carried him to his truck and directed it to the rear. He then returned to his troop but found that the Troop’s position had been overrun and put out of action. With great coolness and with complete disregard for his own safety he assisted in the evacuation of ‘D’ (Kirkee) Troop and ‘E’ (Maiwand) Troop which were still heavily engaged in the battle.

Throughout the action Gunner O’Neill displayed exceptional coolness and devotion to duty.’

Wilfrid O’Neill was subsequently taken P.O.W. at Tobruk in June 1942, and ended the War in Stalag 344 at Lamsdorf.