Oct 10, 1877

Born in Mochrum, Wigtown, Scotland to William and Janet Neill

Aug 27, 1912

Married to Emma Edith Huckle in Ingersoll, Ontario 

On the marriage license, he claimed to be a widower

Feb 7, 1916

Attested into the 168^th Battalion in Ingersoll, Ontario 

Ø      Number 675493

Ø      Next of kin given as Edith Neill, wife, Ingersoll, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Carpenter

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian 

His brother, William Neill had previously attested into the battalion on January 15, 1916.

James Vance Neill was a member of the Masonic St. John’s Lodge No. 68, Ingersoll, Ontario

Oct 30, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nov 11, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England

Jan 4, 1917

The battalion was absorbed into the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford for additional training

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 85 reinforcements from England and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion.  After a short stay here, he joined the battalion at the front.  His brother, William, had joined the 21^st Battalion a month earlier.

Aug 15, 1917

Killed in action during the attack at Hill 70 and was buried in the Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his family

His brother, William Neill was killed in action a little over 2 months later at Passchendaele