Michael O'Leary : Short Biography

Michael John O'Leary was born in the civil parish of Macroom, County Cork, on the 29th of September 1890. 

At the age of 16, O'Leary joined the Royal Navy but was forced to retire due to rheumatism. 

He then went on to join the Irish Guards regiment of the British army. He served with them for three years before leaving for the Royal Northwest Mounted Police in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1913. When World War I broke out, he was granted permission to leave Canada for England so that he could enlist in the war effort. On the 22nd of Novemner 1914, he joined his regiment in Flanders. 

On the 1st of February 1915, he was stationed at Ciunchy in France where he was part of a storming party. He rushed to the front and personally killed five German soldiers who were holding the first barricade. He then pushed forwards another 60 yards and attacked the second barricade. He more or less captured an entire enemy position single handed. For his actions on that day, O'Leary was awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross. His daring act of bravery was even immortalised in a play by George Bernard Shaw. 

When he returned to Britain he was given a hero's welcome and celebrated with a lavish banquet, though his father seemed less than impressed. 

He married Greta Hegarty in 1919 and the pair had at least six children. After his military service the family moved back to Canada, but in later life he returned to Englad due to ill health. 

Michael John O'Leary died on the 1st of August 1961 and is buried in Mill Hill Cemetery.