Oct 21, 1899

Born in Laxton Township, Victoria County, Ontario to George and Martha (nee Cooper) McNeal

Mar 20, 1916

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Kirkfield, Ontario

Ø  Number 724146

Ø  Next of kin given as Martha McNeal, mother, Uphill, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

Note that he was only 16 years of age.  The minimum age to proceed overseas was 19 at that time.  His birth certificate records his first name as Lyle, however he spelled his name as Lyal

His father, George Washington McNeal, attested into “C” Company of the battalion the following day.  George McNeal was transferred to a labour battalion in France and did not serve in the 21^st Battalion. 

His brother, Roy George McNeal, had attested into the 59^th Battalion the previous summer and was transferred to the RCR (Royal Canadian Regiment) in France.  He survived the war and was discharged in 1919

In the spring of 1916, the 109^th Battalion moved to Camp Borden near Barrie, Ontario for advanced training

In early July 1916, the battalion moved to the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire

Aug 16, 1916

The battalion moved to Bramshott to continue training

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Oct 22, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private McNeal joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Bully Grenay, France

Mar 7, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a  diagnosis that reads ICT (Inter Connective Tissue) infection of his right heel

Mar 8, 1917

Transferred to the Rest Station at the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance

Apr 3, 1917

Transferred to the No. 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Apr 4, 1917

Transferred via the No. 18 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted  to the No. 7 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France

Apr 6, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

Apr 7, 1917

Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot in Cayeux, France

May 2, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

Aug 7, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he reported to the No. 4 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples pending instructions

Oct 30, 1917

A certified statement was received to indicate his actual birth date was October 21, 1899.  This was proof that he was still too young to be serving at the front

Dec 2, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 18, 1917

Rejoined the base depot from leave

Jan 21, 1918

Transferred to the Young Soldiers Battalion in Bramshott

Apr 10, 1918

Sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment for an unrecorded offence

Apr 15, 1918

Sentenced to 168 hours Detention with 4 days of his field punishment to be concurrent with the detention.  There is no mention in his service file for either offence

May 10, 1918

Admitted to the No. 12, Canadian General Hospital in Bramshott with a diagnosis that reads Mumps

May 14, 1918

When his mother took sick, his father was granted 10 weeks compassionate leave to Canada

Jun 8, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jun 22, 1918

His father, George McNeal was discharged from service as being overage

Sep 11, 1918

Sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment No. 2 and forfeited total of 8 days pay for being absent

It should be noted that his mother had died a few days earlier in Canada and this may have caused him some grief.

Oct 2, 1918

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 2 for an unrecorded offence

Oct 25, 1918

Attached to the 15^th Reserve Battalion in Bramshott

Oct 31, 1918

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Dec 3, 1918

Attached to Military District No. 3 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Dec 11, 1918

Attached to Military District No. 3 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Jan 11, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

Jan 17, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength Military District No. 3 Casualty Company

Jan 21, 1919

Granted leave until February 3, 1919

Feb 11, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Victoria Road, Uphill, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Victoria Road, Uphill, Ontario

Feb 11, 1920

Married to Rose May Graham in Lindsay, Ontario

Jan 6, 1947

Lyle McNeal died of a Cerebral Hemorrhage while a patient of the Christie Street Hospital in Toronto, Ontario and was buried in the Saint Andrews, Saint James Cemetery, Orillia, Ontario