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why didnt he fight overseas


fighting o'neills

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my great grandfather pte Felix O'neill was with the 2/5th loyal north lancashire regiment and by all accounts didnt fight overseas and was invalided out in 1917 ,some family suggestion he was gassed but i know some hearsay unreliable any suggestions greatly appreciated

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could have been injured / gassed in training and not fit enough to serve overseas

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could have been injured / gassed in training and not fit enough to serve overseas

didn't know they used live gas in training but would seem obvious conclusion thanks sean

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The 2/ before the 5th indicates a second line territorial battalion. Recruits in these formations had chosen not to serve overseas, but to be home defence. Having said that, particularly by 1917, most of them found themselves being shipped overseas anyway.

The 2/5th LNL's were in 57th Division which went to France in February 1917. I would guess that prior to embarkation those deemed medically unsuitable would have been left behind and that your great grandfather would have been amongst them. If that is the case, the gassing story would seem unlikely unless, as Coldstreamer suggests, he had a bad training experience.

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He still should have a nedal card, even if it shows just the Silver War Badge (I have an example of such a case).

Was his first name Felix?

I've searched for a card at TNA - not exhaustively I admit - and I can see a Francis F. O'Neill with the LNLR. I've tried a few other combinations but nothing for a Felix.

There are 138 O'Neills matching the corps "Lancashire" and you may wish to trawl through those yourself, and try a few other searches as well.

Noel

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