Orders, Decorations and Medals

Africa General Service 1902-56, 2 clasps, Somaliland 1901, Somaliland 1902-04 (Lieut. H. du B. O’Neill, Somali Levy) second clasp loose as issued, nearly extremely fine and very scarce £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed by The Late John Cooper.

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Captain Henry du Bois O’Neill, Bedfordshire Regiment, served in East Africa 1901-02, including operations in Somaliland, and was twice mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 18 April 1902 and 2 September 1904: ‘Captain H. du B. O’Neill, 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment, commanded B Company (Somalis). He succeeded with a few men in capturing 41 horses belonging to a raiding party at Kalis. His company was at all times steady, and behaved with coolness at Erego. I think Captain O’Neill deserving of reward.’

He served during the Great War and was awarded the Military Cross London Gazette 9 January 1918: ‘Capt. (T./Maj.) Bedf. R., Spec. Res. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in making a most daring personal reconnaissance of the enemy’s wire. Accompanied by an N.C.O. and two runners, he crawled through a gap in the wire and got in rear of the enemy’s post. Finding it occupied by two of the enemy, he shot them in the legs with his revolver and took them both prisoners. He set a fine example of initiative and gallantry to his battalion.’

Acting Major O’Neill died on 2 June 1918.