Military History

Neil is officially listed as being killed in action on 21 Nov 1914 however two of his CWGC records [here] and [here], his Register of Effects and the 2nd Battalion was diary indicate that he was actually killed on 24/25th Oct 1914. The war diary entry for the 21st November is transcribed below in full, and it can be seen that the battalion were in billets and there are no incidents or casualties mentioned.

Fleurbaix 21 XI 14: Billets. Strenght Officers [blank] OR's [blank]

The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the 24th and 25th October 1914 are transcribed below.

Lonnebeek - 24th October 1914: March out 6.30am. Received orders to clear a wood of the enemy. In passing through the wood came under heavy shell fire. The enemy retired obstintately leaving many killed and wounded in their wake. A large body of Germans were occupying a farm house in rear of the wood. The Regiment received orders to take the farm and is doing so came under a fierce rifle & machine gun fire. The casualties this day are numerous, Lt Col Loring, previously wounded, was killed. Some prisoners were taken and a large quantity of ammunition was captured but the enemy retained possession of their Machine Gun.

Bivouacked in wood at Menin Beccelare Road.

Lonnebeek - 25th October 1914: Regiment in reserve in wood. Stayed there the whole day. Gen Sir Henry Rawlinson told the Regiment that they had saved the line on the previous day.