Sergeant Neil O’ Donnell M.M.

Sergeant  Neil O Donnell M.M., 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. He died in France on 22nd May 1917 of wounds received during the Battle of Arras. He was the husband of Mary O’Donnell of Livingston, Mid Lothian and is buried in Noeux-Les- Mines Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. ( The C.W.G.S. shows his rank as Lance Corporal ). He had enlisted in the 15th Hussars in August 1914 before being transferred to the 2nd D.L.I. He took part in a trench raid at “Mad Point” Sap on 10th February 1917 for which he was awarded the Military Medal. . He was wounded in battle on 21st April 1917 and died the following day. He is also commemorated on the Winchburgh War Memorial. He was the brother of Thomas and William. ( see above) The artist’s illustration shows the nature of the fighting at Arras and the photograph shows British troops and a tank in the main street of a captured village near Arras.