The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra

 
 
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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RUSI of NSW Boer War Battlefields