Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (Lieut. The Hon. A. E. B. O’Neill, 2/L. Gds.) heavy edge bruise to reverse, about very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Arthur Edward Bruce O’Neill, was born on 19 September 1876, son of the 2nd Baron O’Neill, of Shane’s Castle, Co. Antrim. He was educated at Eton. Formerly in the Militia Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Life Guards on 26 May 1897, being promoted to Lieutenant on 16 June 1898. With the Composite Regiment of Household Cavalry he served with distinction in the Boer War, being present at the relief of Kimberley and at the battles of Paardeberg, Driefontein and Colesberg. On 3 January 1902 he was advanced to Captain and was Adjutant, 1902-03. For his services in the war he was awarded the Queen’s medal with three clasps and the King’s medal with two. In 1902 he married Lady Annabel Crewe-Milnes, eldest daughter of the Marquis of Crewe, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. In January 1910 he was elected unopposed as Unionist Member of Parliament for the Mid-Antrim constituency, a position he held until until the time of his death. He was also J.P. and D.L. for Co. Antrim.

With the outbreak of war O’Neill rejoined his regiment and proceeded to France in October 1914. He was killed in action during the First Battle of Ypres, near Zwartelen on 6 November 1914. Employed as infantry, he was leading his men in a gallant attempt to save the situation. He was shot on Klein Zillebeke Ridge, and, shouting to his men to line the ridge, was being carried out when he received another wound, and then begged his bearers to leave him and save themselves. It was said of him that he did not know what fear was. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Captain O’Neill was the first Member of the House of Commons to fall in the War.

Terence Marne O’Neill, the youngest of his three sons, born on 10 September 1914, became Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, 1963-69. With copied research.