Sep 22, 1889

Born in Woodville, Ontario

Jan 15, 1916

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

Ø  Number 725579

Ø  Next of kin given as Miss Florence McNeill, sister, 617 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farming

o   Later noted as Locomotive Fireman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

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 McNeill joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Bully Grenay, France

Nov 12, 1916

Attached to the 4^th Field Company Canadian Engineers for duty

Dec 18, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion near Calonne, France from the engineers

Jul 26, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with an accidental cut to his left hand.  After receiving first aid, he was transported to the No. 58 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 3, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Fosse 10, France from the casualty clearing station

Aug 17, 1917

Proceeded on course

Aug 28, 1917

Rejoined the battalion resting in Villers au Bois, France from course

Sep 13, 1917

Attached to the 2^nd Canadian Machine Gun Company for duty

Sep 21, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Oct 3, 1917

Rejoined the 2^nd Canadian Machine Gun Company from leave

Oct 13, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from the machine gun company

Mar 23, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to Paris

Mar 31, 1918

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, from leave

Apr 6, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Wailly, France from leave

Apr 9, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Calonne Ricouart, France

Aug 26, 1918

During the advance on the Cojeul River, west of Guémappe, France, Private McNeill was hit in his right leg with a machine gun bullet and was evacuated to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 33 Casualty Clearing Station.  His right leg was amputated above the knee at the casualty clearing station

Aug 28, 1918

Transferred via the No. 23 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 16 General Hospital in Le Treport, France

Oct 16, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Western Australia

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the No. 15 Canadian General Hospital (Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital) in Taplow

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Nov 25, 1918

A further amputation was required to create a better stump in order to utilize an artificial leg

Jan 14, 1919

Transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital in Buxton

While here he was fitted with a peg leg

Mar 13, 1919

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Liverpool

Mar 31, 1919

Embarked the Hospital Ship Essequibo in Liverpool

Apr 11, 1919

Disembarked in Portland, Maine, USA and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 2

Apr 12, 1919

Transferred to the BMH (Brant Military Hospital) in Burlington, Ontario

Granted leave until April 28, 1919

Apr 28, 1919

He failed to report to the hospital and was declared to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

May 2, 1919

Reported to the Brant Military Hospital

He was fitted with an artificial leg here

May 16, 1919

Transferred to the HMH (Hamilton Military Hospital), Hamilton, Ontario

Jun 11, 1919

Transferred to the DOH (Dominion Orthopedic Hospital) Christie Street, Toronto, Ontario for adjustment to his new artificial leg and therapy

Sep 16, 1919

Discharged from hospital and was posted to the District Depot No. 2 Casualty Company in the Exhibition Park, Toronto

Sep 18, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 283291

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 73 Merrill Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 438, Parliament St., Toronto, Ontario

A replacement set of medals was sent to Mrs. Lillian McNeill, 5 Stonedale Placeway, Don Mills, Ontario March 12, 1979