The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra
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Corporal Thomas McNeill |
Ancestor Details
Ancestor's Name: Thomas McNeill
Ancestor's date of birth: 1860
Ancestor's date of death: 1946
Cause of Death: cancer and age related
Service and Life Before the Boer War: A professional soldier in the British Army from boyhood
Service Number: Not known
Colony or State of enlistment: Not Australia, Place of Enlistment: England
Unit: Hampshire Regiment
Rank attained in Boer War: CPL, Date Effective: Not known
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): WO1, Date Effective: Not known
Murray Page: Not applicable did not serve in an Australian unit
Contingent: Not applicable
Ship: SS Assaye, Date of Sailing: 04/01/1900
Memorial details: Buried in Luton UK
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen and King's South Africa Medals with clasps. 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. (At least)
Personal Characteristics: A beautiful gentleman, a wonderful grandfather.
Reasons to go and fight: A serving soldier
Details of service in war: Hampshire Regiment THE 2nd Battalion sailed on the Assaye about 4 January 1900, and arrived at the Cape about the 23 January. Along with the 2nd Norfolk Regiment, 1st KOSB, and 2nd Lincolns, they formed the 14th Brigade under Brigadier General Chermside, and part of the VIIth Division commanded by Lieutenant General Tucker. At Karee Siding on 29 March 1900 the battalion's losses were 1 officer and 11 men wounded. The battalion had no heavy fighting in the advance to Pretoria. After the occupation of the capital the 14th Brigade was detailed to garrison the city and neighbourhood. The battalion was present at the ceremony of proclaiming the annexation of the Transvaal on 25 October 1900. Eleven officers and 13 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in Lord Roberts' final despatch. During the latter part of the campaign the battalion was chiefly employed on garrison duty in the Transvaal, being for some time at the much-to-be-avoided Koomati Poort. They also held other posts near the eastern border. They had no costly fighting, but by a railway accident near Barberton on 30 March 1902 they had the grievous misfortune to lose 40 men killed and about 50 injured.
Service and life after the Boer War: Served on in the British Army including World War One with service in the Dardenelles.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Patricia Peccia, Marrickville NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand Daughter
 
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