| O'Neill | William Henry Slingsby | | Major | O'NEILL, WILLIAM HENRY SLINGSBY, Major, was bom 28 May 1854, son of the Reverend John O'Neill, of Clonmore, County Carlow. He was educated at Cains College, Cambridge, and joined the Army as Sub-Lieutenant, unattached, 10 September 1875, and the 103rd Foot (The Royal Dublin Fusiliers), 10 September 1875. He became Captain 20 January 1884; Adjutant, Auxiliary Forces, 9 February 1886, to 8 February 1891; was promoted Major 16 May 1894. Major O'Neill served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902, in command 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (12 June to 16 August 1900). He was present at the Relief of Ladysmith; operations in the Transvaal, June, 1900; operations in Natal (March to June, 1900), including the action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July 1900. Operations in the Orange River Colony, June, 1900. He took part in the operations in the Transvaal, December 1900; was Commandant at Durban from 20 December 1900. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 7 February 1901]: received the Queen's Medal with five clasps; King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "William Henry Slingsby O'Neill, Major, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by Colonel Lyttleton, at Lyttleton, South Africa. He retired 28 May 1902. He served in the European War as Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 3rd Royal Dublin Fusilisers. Colonel O'Neill married, in 1889, Selina, daughter of Hugh Henry, of Firment, County Kildare and they had one daughter.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Dublin Fusiliers |
