Officer Missing Since 1918 Identified in France

Why this is here: Lieutenant O’Neill’s patrol was attacked by German Triplanes just after midday on May 8, 1918, leading to him being listed as missing.

The MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre identified the grave of Lieutenant Thomas Michael O’Neill in Le Grand Beaumart Cemetery, France. O’Neill, an officer from Ireland serving with the Royal Air Force, went missing in action on May 8, 1918, during an aerial battle. He was last seen flying his Sopwith Camel east of Bailleul after a German attack.

Initially buried at Steenwerck German Military Cemetery, O’Neill’s remains were moved to Le Grand Beaumart after the war. Records mistakenly listed him only as an unknown RAF officer, despite his prior service with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Recent research from a member of the public helped confirm the grave belonged to O’Neill.

Though no family members attended the rededication service on May 20, 2026, members of his RAF squadron were present. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission replaced the headstone to reflect his name. Identifying all those lost to war remains an ongoing task, even after over a century.