Private Alexander William McNeill (wounded) is the eldest son of Angus McNeill, of Arthur street, Dunedin; also the nephew of John McNeill, Beaumont street, Invercargill. He is 20 years of age, and was born at Naseby and educated at the Macandrew Road School, where he was a Junior Cadet. For two years he was a Territorial in the Coast Defence, and when war broke out was one of the first to pitch camp at Tahuna Park. He left with the Main Body for the seat of war, and was at the first invasion on April 25 at the Dardanelles. -Otago Witness, 15/9/1915.
Mrs A. McNeill, of Russell street, received! a cablegram on Saturday stating that her son, Private Alexander William McNeill, who was wounded on Hill 971 on the night of August 7, was convalescent, and would be coming home shortly. Private McNeill, who left New Zealand as a member of the Otago Battalion of the Main Expeditionary Force, has been in the Pont de Koubbeh Hospital, Cairo, since he was wounded. He received a gunshot wound in the left foot, which gave the doctors a good deal of trouble. Finally, it was decided to amputate the foot just above the ankle. In a letter to Mrs McNeill, Major-chaplain Mackenzie Gibson says: "The lad is doing as well as can be expected, and is bearing up bravely. The splendid courage and cheerfullness of our dear New Zealand lads under pain and torture are a matter of daily and hourly amazement to chaplains, doctors, and nurses. You may rest assured that your lad is thoroughly well cared for, and has every bit as much skill and attention given to him as would be possible at home. His loss is not to be compared with that of many, many others, and by the by he may be able to get a new foot — such are the wonders of modern surgical science — and only his intimate friends will know of it. We parents have every reason to be proud of our New Zealand boys. They have fought magnificently, and, what is more, they suffer and die magnificently." Prior to joining the colours he was apprenticed to the iron moulding trade at Messrs Cossens and Black's. -Otago Daily Times, 16/11/1915.
"Seeing Red." — John Duncan McLennan and Alexander William McNeill each pleaded guilty to drunkenness, and also to wilfully damaging a screen and a quantity of crockery, the property of Edith Henrys. The facts as stated by Sub-inspector Broberg were that at 11 o'clock on Saturday night the defendants went into the restaurant occupied by the complainant and got into an altercation with others. They used some very bad language, and it was alleged that one of them struck one of the ladies in the restaurant. They also upset the tables and eatables and smashed the crockery. — The defendants pleaded that they had no recollection of the occurrence. — The Magistrate said he could see no excuse for their "seeing red," and they were fortunate that they were not to be dealt with more severely than he proposed dealing with them. For the first offence they would each be fined 5s, or 24 hours, and on the charge of damaging property they would each be fined 10s, and ordered to pay 10s each towards the cost of the damage done. -Otago Daily Times, 6/6/1916.
McNEILL. — On January 2, 1924, at his parents’ residence, 25 Nairn street, Roslyn, Alexander William McNeill, No. 8/597, Main Body, N.Z.E.F., beloved oldest son of Angus and Mary Jane McNeill; aged 29 years. Deeply regretted. “A patient sufferer gone to rest.” Private interment. — R. McLean and Son, undertakers. -Evening Star, 2/1/1924.
Mr Alexander William McNeill, who died on January 2, was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Angus McNeill, and grandson of the late Mr John Eccles, of Naseby. In August, 1914, when war broke out, Mr McNeill enlisted at Dunedin, and left for Egypt with the Main Body. He was at the Gallipoli landing on April 25, 1915, and was severely wounded in action on August 7, losing a limb, From this he really never recovered. The funeral was private, and the service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Isaac Jolly. -Evening Star, 5/1/1924.
FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.
IN MEMORIUM.
McNEILL. — In loving memory of our dear son Alexander William McNeill (No 8/597, Mam Body), who passed away on January 2, 1924, at his parents’ residence, Nairn street, Roslyn.
Just two years ago to-day, dear Willie,
We stood with aching heart and tearful eyes,
And gently held your hand
Until you peacefully passed away into the Better Land.
— Inserted by his sorrowing mother and father.
McNEILL. — In loving memory of our dear brother, Alexander William McNeill (No. 8/597, Main Body), who passed away on January 2, 1924, at his parents’ residence, Nairn street, Roslyn.
Though his loving voice is silent,
And his fond heart ceased to beat,
How we missed his well-known footsteps
And his form we used to greet.
— Inserted by his loving brothers and sisters. -Otago Witness, 5/1/1926.
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