Lives of the First World War

No information on when or where this photo was taken. Believed to be taken at home in Wexford (1915-1916). Note the black buttons of the "Rifles" on his tunic.

Painting of my Grandfather which hung on the kitchen wall of his home for many years. He is clearly wearing a "great coat" over "hospital blues" but unfortunately there is no information on when or where it was painted.

The discharge certificate for Lcpl. James O'Neill. "Chevrons - Two Blue" indicates two full years of active service in a theathre of war. "Wound Stripes - Three" these were "Strips of gold Russia braid, No.1, two inches in length, sewn perpendicularly on the left sleeve of the tunic to mark each occasion on which wounded".

The discharge certificate for Lcpl. James O'Neill. Discharged "in consequence of being no longer physically fit for war service" on the 16th October 1918 having served "three years, 267 days with the Colours".

Husband and wife James and Ellen O'Neill (about 1959) taken at Distillery Road, Wexford.

The headstone of James O'Neill, his wife Ellen and daughter Maureen at Saint Ibar Cemetery, Crosstown, Wexford.

King's Honourable Discharge Certificate for Lcpl. James O'Neill. This certificate is in the possession of Jamesys' youngest son.

Many thanks to the National Archives, Kew for granting permission to use the above image (National Archives image ref; WO372/15/34860). This is the Medal Index Card (created by the Army Medal Office) for Lcpl. James O'Neill which lists the medals he was entitled to claim and the relevent entries of record within the Medal Rolls.

1914-15 Star Medal Roll entry (Page 588 Roll B/4B) recording " Jamesys' " entitlement to the medal and showing the qualifying date of 02 July 1915 under the heading "Date of Disembarkation" i.e. his date of first entry into a theater of war. Photo is of the original document held at the National Archives in Kew and taken in the reading rooms of same. Permission for use here was given by the National Archives.

The Silver War Badge List (List B/976) entry for Lcpl. J. O'Neill recording his entitlement to the Silver War Badge. In addition to his Name, Rank, Regimental No. and Unit this original document also records his; Date of Enlistment (23/01/1915), Date of Discharge (16/10/1918), Whether Served Overseas (Yes), Cause of Discharge (Wounds) and the paragraph of the Kings Regulations applicable to his discharge (392 XVI) as well as the unique "No. of Badge and Certificate" (B28148). Permission for inclusion of this image was kindly given by the National Archives, Kew which holds the original document.

The image shows a section of the 1911 Census of Ireland Family Return Form A - Sheet 2 for the household of James O'Neill at 7 Green Street, Wexford. This was James O'Neill senior, my great grandfather. The area was better known as "Slippery Green" and was much different to the Green Street of today.

The image shows the 1911 Census of Ireland Family Return Form A - Sheet 1. It gives the details of the household for the 2nd April 1911. Lcpl. James O'Neill is shown on the document to be 14yrs of age and his occupation at the time was that of "Shop Messenger". His father, also James O'Neill, is recorded as "Labour(er) in Iron Works" which, from family history, is believed to have been the "Doyles - Selskar Ironworks". The other family members shown are: his mother, Eliza (36yrs), brothers Charles (8yrs) and John (2yrs) and his sisters Mary Eliza (7yrs), Mary Ann (5yrs) and Johanna (4mths). Other interesting details shown - James and Eliza were married for 15yrs and had given birth to 8 children though only 6 survived.

This photo, taken at the National Archives in Kew, shows the entry in the British War and Victory Medal Roll of the Royal Irish Rifles which records his entitlement to the two medals. It also records his rank as Lance-Corporal, his Regimental No. as 3/3392 and "in sequence Unit and Corps previously served with" as being 1/R.Ir.Rifs. then 2/R.Ir.Rifs. and finally 1/R.Ir.Rifs. This shows that James started and finished his service with 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and also served with 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.