Martin O'Meara

Martin O'Meara VC (6 November 1885 – 20 December 1935) was both an Irish recipient (by birth) and an Australian recipient (by naturalisation) of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life
O'Meara was born at Terryglass, Lorrha, County Tipperary. He had been working as a labourer in Pinjarra Western Australia when on 19 August 1915 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.

Military career
Assigned to 16th Battalion (S.A. & W.A.) as a private, O'Meara embarked for France on 22 December 1915.

Between 9 August and 12 August 1916 at (Mouquet Farm) Pozières, France, during four days of very heavy fighting, Private O'Meara repeatedly went out and brought in wounded officers and men from "No Man's Land" under intense artillery and machine-gun fire. He also volunteered and carried up ammunition and bombs through a heavy barrage to a portion of the trenches which was being heavily shelled at the time. O'Meara was wounded three times during the war and returned to Australia on 15 September 1918, having reached the rank of sergeant.

Later life
O'Meara was diagnosed by the OC, 24th Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Stromness on 19 December 1918 as: "'suffering from Delusional Insanity, with hallucinations of hearing and sight, is extremely homicidal and suicidal, and requires to be kept in restraint. He is not hopeful of his recovery in the near future.' Admitted to Claremont Mental Hospital (insane patient), 3 January 1919'"

O'Meara died at the age of 52 and was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, Western Australia.

The Medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Museum of Western Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia.