Leonard (Leo) O’Neill was the son of Harry J and Elizabeth O’Neill of Stewartstown.
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Leonard O’Neill was born on 18th July 1922.
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Prior to enlisting, Leonard had worked as a brick worker and labourer.
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Leonard O’Neill enlisted with the Inniskillings on 30th July 1940, shortly after his 18th birthday at Omagh, Co. Tyrone.
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Fusilier Leo O’Neill was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Burma when he was killed in this action on 7th January 1943, aged 20.
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It is believed Fusilier O’Neill died in an action near Donbaik, Burma when a patrol from D Company, 1st Inniskillings engaged a much stronger force of Japanese troops resulting in many casualties, some from sniper fire.
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From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th August 1943: Tyrone Soldier Wounded (Fusilier Francis O’Neill – brother of Fusilier Leonard O’Neill)
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Mrs H O’Neill, of Main Street, Stewartstown, has received information that her son, Fusilier Francis O’Neill, has been wounded.
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From the Mid Ulster Mail, unknown date possibly in 1947:
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'Oh, why was he taken, that one we loved so fair.
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And the world had so many it could better spare.
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Hard was the blow that caused us to part,
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But his memory, it is written in gold within our hearts'
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Submitted by his father, Harry O’Neill
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Fusilier Leonard O’Neill has no known grave and is commemorated on Rangoon Memorial in Burma.
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Fusilier Leo O’Neill is commemorated locally on Stewartstown War Memorial.
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The CWGC record Fusilier Leo O’Neill as the son of Harry J and Elizabeth O'Neill of Stewartstown, County Tyrone.
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