Man of action

Maurice Quinn remembers Major Timothy Charles O’Neill, The McCoy

7 May 1939 - 16 February 2020

It was with sadness that we learned of the death of Latin Mass Society member Major Timothy Charles O’Neil The McCoy, who, after a short illness, passed away peacefully on Sunday, 16 February.

Survived by his son Charles, Major Tim’s life story reads like something lifted straight from Boy’s Own, being littered with derring-do in many of the world’s trouble hot-spots and war zones.

The complete man of action and modern adventurer, Tim was born in London on 7 May 1939, attending St Mary’s Primary School in Hornchurch, and later St Ignatius College, Tottenham. His adventurous spirit could be seen in his younger days when he became an accomplished horseman and yachtsman, and on the rugby field he played tighthead prop in several civilian and military rugby union sides.

Timothy joined the Royal Navy in 1957, beginning Air Crew Pilot training until service cuts resulted in a reduction of numbers and he was ‘chopped’ from training.

Undaunted, in 1959 he popped up in Africa in the North Rhodesian Police Force, serving until 1961 when he joined the King’s African Rifles. After completing Signal Training, in 1963 Tim successfully underwent SAS selection with C (SAS) Squadron in Rhodesia, where he remained until the Independence of Zambia.

Always the man of action, Timothy transferred to the Royal Signals where he served in England and in Germany, and twice in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Always engaged in something new, in 1973 he completed an Arabic Language course, qualifying for his next posting in the Middle East, both with the Royal Signals and with the SAS. Timothy commanded 63 (SAS) Squadron R Signals and served in Oman.

His later career included time on loan service with the Armed Forces of Brunei and in the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces, and he served as a Ground Liaison Officer with the Royal Air Force in Gulf War 1.

After serving his country for many years and in often difficult situations, this much decorated soldier left the army with the rank of Major in 1992. In civilian life Major Tim started working as Executive Secretary of the Wine and Spirit Association UK and NI, but he suffered a brain injury in London in October 1993, after which he retired to Totnes in Devon where he became a parishioner of St Mary & St George Roman Catholic Church.

Before his injury, Major Tim was a member of many choral societies for whom he sang bass, and in 1993 passed an audition for the National Choral Society. His compassionate side expressed itself through his work with SCOPE, the national organization for the disabled. Always adventurous, Tim did five walking pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostella.

His Tridentine Latin Requiem was celebrated by Fr Peter Coxe, being served by two Oblates of Buckfast Abbey, Adrian Worsley and me. The Totnes Royal British Legion organised the Last Post with bugler and an honour guard of Standard Bearers, followed by final asperges and a hearty rendition of the Salve Regina. Please pray for Major Tim, RIP, and his family.