Hugh O'Neil (O'Neill)

The Battalion sailed from Avonmouth on the 18/03/1915 and landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25/04/1915. Hugh arrived 1 month later. The Battalion were part of the 87th Brigade, 29th Division. Hugh was Killed in the failed attempt to capture Scimitar Hill at Suvla Bay in Gallipoli. The Battle : Following a preparatory but ineffective (blind) artillery shoot starting at 1430 hours on the 21/08/1915, the 87th Brigade attack on Hill 70, or Scimitar Hill, began at 1500 hours. The 29th Division attack against the Anafarta Ridge's Hill 100 and Hill 70 (the latter known as Scimitar Hill due to its shape) was part of the last major offensive mounted at Suvla in the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War. It became the largest one-day attack ever launched by the Allies at Gallipoli and its immediate aim, in concert with attacks on the W Hills by the 11th Division and Hill 60 by the ANZAC force (that included the Connaught Rangers), was to capture the Turkish-held ground that threatened the Suvla landing area. It was also an attempt to capture ground that would link the 29th Division and the ANZAC force to the south. At 1530 hours, A, B, and D Company 1st Inniskillings passed through the King's Own Scottish Borderers to assault Hill 70, and advanced through the burning scrub that had been ignited by shellfire. After 400 yards they emerged from the cover of the scrub to be engaged by a devastating enemy fire that inspired a charge for the relative safety of the enemy's first trench, entering it around 1540 hours. Although then beaten back, the Inniskillings rallied within 150 yards of the top of the hill and, when the King's Own Scottish Borderers and the South Wales Borderers moved up in support, another charge for the crest was made. Unfortunately, it failed as depth positions brought deadly direct fire to bear while the immediate enemy stood on their parapets firing from the hip and throwing hand grenades. Accurate enemy shrapnel also inflicted heavy casualties. As the neighbouring 11th Division's attack faltered, the Inniskillings on Scimitar Hill were coming under fire from Turkish positions higher up the Anafarta Spur to the east and from the W Hills to the south. Elements of "A" and "B" Company, with some King's Own Scottish Borderers and others, grouped under cover of a small nullah, on the right just below the crest line of the hill, where they reorganised and attempted to form a firing line. This group held their position awaiting the development of a charge that was made at about 1900 hours and succeeded in reaching the first trench, which the enemy abandoned. However, the group was driven from the second trench and once more was forced to withdraw to its previous position. It was at this point that the 87th Brigade's Battalions consolidated gains and dug in. Their situation then became more perilous when the blazing scrub invaded their positions. At 2300 hours, the 1st Inniskillings, ordered to withdraw when relieved by the remnants of King's Own Scottish Borderers and South Wales Borderers, moved to reorganise at the rear of the King's Own Scottish Borderers. Hugh was previously with the 4th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (9063) and this is how he is listed on the Coatbridge Memorial. Hugh is also listed as O'NEILL aged 45 by the CWGC. Huge thanks to Hugh's great nephew Tom McCormick and his great great nephew Stuart McCormick for the photos of the Highland Light Infantry at Troon and the 2 of Hugh's Memorial Plaque (Death Penny). Hugh is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church Roll of Honour (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Hugh's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, Hugh's Pension Records x 2, his previous Regiment the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and the Kings Own Scottish Borderers Cap Badge. Finally, a photo of the 6th Battalion Highland Light Infantry arriving at Troon and Hugh's Memorial Plaque (Death Penny) x 2.