He served for several years in the Canadian Northwest Mounted Police, but went back and joined the British Army in order to be nearer home.
After the fight in which he won his decoration he wrote home:
"Dear Parents: I guess you will be glad to hear that I was promoted full sergeant on the field on account of distinguished conduct on February 1, when we charged the Huns and routed them in disorder.
"You bet the Irish Guards are getting back now."
Mrs. O'Leary, the old mother of the hero, has been interviewed at her home in Ireland. As might be expected her words were very simple.
"It's proud I am of Mike," said Mrs. O'Leary, "but I wish he was home instead of being in that cruel war.
"When that telegram came for me, I thought sure Mike was dead, but when I opened it I found that he had been promoted. Sure I was better pleased to know that he was alive than promoted.
"Mike is a good boy. He never gave me a moment's uneasiness since he was in the cradle, except when he went away on his foreign adventures. I suppose he had to leave me. There's little enough chance for a boy here, with only the pigs to look after and his father and me."
We have been inclined to think that the days were over when a mighty warrior could rush in among the foe and slay many with his own hands but O'Leary and many others in this war have proved that that is not the case.
III—TALE OF A GORDON HIGHLANDER