Arthur O'Neill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur O'Neill
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Arthur Edward Bruce O'Neill's portrait published in The Bond of Sacrifice (1917)
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| Member of Parliament for Mid Antrim |
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| In office January 1910 – 6 November 1914 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Torrens O'Neill |
| Succeeded by | Hugh O'Neill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 September 1876 |
| Died | 6 November 1914 (aged 38) Klein Zillebeke, Belgium |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist |
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| Relatives | Hugh O'Neill (brother) |
Arthur Edward Bruce O'Neill (born September 19, 1876 – died November 6, 1914) was an Irish politician. He was a member of the Ulster Unionist Party. Arthur O'Neill holds a special place in history. He was the very first Member of Parliament (MP) to be killed in World War I.
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Early Life and Family
Arthur O'Neill was born in 1876. He was the second son of Edward O'Neill, who was the 2nd Baron O'Neill. His mother was Lady Louisa Katherine Emma. Arthur had a younger brother named Hugh O'Neill. Hugh later became known as Baron Rathcavan.
A Life of Service
Military Career and War Hero
Arthur O'Neill joined the British Army in 1897. He became a second lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of Life Guards. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1898. He served in South Africa during the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1900. For his service, he received the Queen's South Africa Medal. He was promoted to captain in 1902.
When First World War began, Captain O'Neill served with the 2nd Life Guards. He was killed in action on November 6, 1914. This happened near a place called Klein Zillebeke in Belgium. He was 38 years old. His death marked a sad first for the British Parliament. He was the first Member of Parliament to die in the war.
Arthur O'Neill is remembered in several ways. His name is on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium. He is also honored on the Parliamentary War Memorial in Westminster Hall. This memorial lists 22 MPs who died during World War I. There are also special shields in the House of Commons Chamber that remember him. In 1932, a special book of remembrance was created for the House of Commons. It includes a short story about Arthur O'Neill's life and death.
Political Career in Parliament
Arthur O'Neill was elected to the British House of Commons in January 1910. He represented the area of Mid-Antrim. He took over this role from his uncle, Robert Torrens O'Neill. After Arthur's death, his younger brother, Hugh, became the MP for Mid-Antrim.
Personal Life and Family
Arthur O'Neill married Lady Annabel Crewe-Milnes on January 21, 1902. They were married at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge. Lady Annabel later remarried after Arthur's death. She passed away in 1948.
Arthur and Annabel had five children together. They had three boys and two girls. Their youngest child, Terence, was less than two months old when his father died.
- Their oldest son, Shane O'Neill, later inherited his grandfather's title in 1928. Shane was killed in action in 1944 during World War II.
- Their third son, Terence O'Neill, became a very important political figure. He served as the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland from 1963 to 1969.
- Another son, Brian Arthur O'Neill, was also killed in action in 1940 during World War II.
Their daughters were Hon. Sibyl O'Neill (1902-1946) and Hon. Mary Louisa Hermione O'Neill (born 1905). Mary was the mother of the famous British broadcaster, Bamber Gascoigne.
