19/05/2026
Lt Thomas Michael O’Neill, 43 Squadron
A rededication service is planned for Lieutenant Thomas Michael O’Neill, 43 Squadron, who was killed on 8 May 1918. He was listed as missing after the First World War, but recent research has been undertaken which has proved that he was actually buried as an unknown officer of the RAF at Le Grand Beaumart Cemetery, France. Arrangments for his headstone to be changed accordingly and will be performing a rededication service at his graveside on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
The ceremony will take place at 11:00hrs. It will happen at the graveside at Le Grand Beaumart Cemetery, Steenwerck, France: Le Grand Beaumart British Cemetery, Steenwerck | Cemetery Details | CWGC. The service will be led by an RAF Padre and there will be members of the RAF in attendance. An RAF bugler has been arranged to play the Last Post. Representatives from the association will attend
As for family, it has been very difficult to trace them as Lt O’Neill was from ROI. This has meant that trying to find any form of contact information is nearly impossible. Lt O’Neill was previously serving with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers before he was attached to the RFC/RAF. Contact with the RDF Association, the RAF Association and RBL all in Ireland has been made and they are trying to assist.
Here is a brief biography: Thomas was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 28 June 1915 and joined the 9th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He served the next seven months in the UK before going overseas in December 1915. In July 1916, Thomas returned to the UK to join the Royal Flying Corps at Oxford. He graduated from the Central Flying School on 27 December 1916 and went through a number of Home Defence Squadrons. His name appears in at least one report, attacking German night bombers in 1917 flying his Sopwith Camel. In March 1918, Thomas travelled to France to join 43 Squadron.
On 8 May 1918, Thomas was out on Offensive Patrol just after midday when his 43 Squadron patrol was attacked by a group of German Triplanes. He was in Sopwith Camel C8298, and his Casualty Report related that he was last seen going down out of control east of Bailleul after being attacked. He was subsequently listed as missing and commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.
Subsequent research submitted by a member of the public has shown that Thomas was originally buried at Steenwerck German Military Cemetery. After the war, he was one of 112 individuals concentrated from there to Le Grand Beaumart Cemetery. Although he was initially recorded as being a Lieutenant of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, attached to the Royal Air Force, the final Graves Registration Report only listed him as an unknown Officer of the RAF. Lt O’Neill was the only possible candidate for this grave, and the headstone will be changed accordingly.
