Introduction

James Robert (Bob) O’Neal was a prolific writer of poetry, discourses and open letters to the press. He mostly published under the title of “R O’Neal” - preferring recognition of his middle name over James, as we have seen in his private letters, and indeed also sometimes on census returns!

I have tried to put these where possible in chronological order. However, in order to keep the integrity of the order in which they appear in his original collection, some appear in what would appear to be the incorrect chronological section.

I am hoping to put some context where I can, both about what was happening with Bob at the time, as well as more geo-political issues of the time, to try and further explain the rationale of each piece of work. However, I wanted to share with you where I am up to as of now. 

From an early age, Bob was writing poetry, and articles for local and national press, expressing nationalistic pride, and support for empire, which given his background as an orphaned Anglo-Indian, could be seen as surprising. I guess it is a sign that the values of his Father were well preserved by the support and guidance he received from his Father’s close friend Thomas Nurse.

His work is broken down into a number of collections as below, by far the largest and widest ranging is Olla Podrida.

PATER'S ALPHABET

Bob was fond of acrostics (poems in which the first letter of each new line spells out a word, message or the alphabet), and this is a particular example, which he created into a special booklet for his son, dedicated as transcribed below.

Cyril's departure for Canada must have been very traumatic for his parents, as international travel at that time was much harder and more risky than it is now, added to the fact that Cyril was travelling alone at the age of just 16.