Irish MP killed in battle in Belgium
Arthur O’Neill is first Member of the House of Commons to die in the war
Belgium, 10 November 1914 - The Honourable Arthur O’Neill MP has been killed in action.
It is reported that Captain O’Neill (38), a unionist MP, died during fighting around Zillebeke in Belgium. He is one of many British soldiers who are reported to have been killed in the area as they attempted to prevent the Germans from reaching Channel ports.
Capt. O’Neill was serving with the 2nd Life Guards in Belgium and news of his death has just been telegrammed to Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
Capt. O’Neill was the eldest surviving son of Baron O’Neill, who was also an MP. He is survived by his wife Lady Annabel Crewe-Milnes, the daughter of the Marquess of Crewe and by three sons. His youngest son Terence was born last September. He has represented Mid-Antrim in the House of Commons since 1910 and at the last General Election he was returned unopposed.
