Stoker 1st Class

Maurice William O'Neil

Conflict: 
WW2
Additional Information: 

Son of Harold William and Alice Elizabeth O'Neil, of Ngatea, Waikato.

References:
  • CWGC
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

“HMNZS Leander was to see more dramatic action in the Pacific War. In July 1943, fighting alongside US ships, the cruiser confronted a Japanese force in the night-time Battle of Kolombangara. After helping to destroy a Japanese cruiser, the New Zealand vessel was hit hard by one of the enemy's feared ‘Long Lance’ torpedoes. The crew performed superbly to save their ship, but 26 seamen were killed. Eventually sent to America for repairs, the Leander would never fight under the New Zealand ensign again.”

[extract from HMNZS Leander, nzhistory.govt.nz/war/hmnzs-leander]

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
4603
Name:
Maurice William O'Neil
Rank: 
Stoker 1st Class
Date of Birth:
Not known
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Unit:
Royal New Zealand Navy, HMNZS Leander

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Killed in Action
Date of Death:
13 July 1943
Day of Death:
Tuesday
Age at Death: 
22
Conflict: 
WW2

Embarkation Details

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery Reference: 
Panel 4.
Cemetery Location: 
New Zealand
Maurice William O'Neil
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