Our forces at Gallipoli lost a first-class rifle shot when Trooper William James Neal was killed in action. Though he had no previous military training:, he responded to the first call for men, and left with the Main Body. But what he lacked in military experience he has probably made up as a marksman, and, in fact, was selected on account of accurate shooting to beat the Turk at his own game — sniping. Such was his record in rifle-shooting matches in Marlborough that without doubt he has done his share at Gallipoli in the Empire's cause. Besides, as a rifleman, he was well known as a cricketer, footballer and hockey player. He was the eldest son of Mr. Charles Neal, of Timatanga, Marlborough. A younger brother. Trooper Percy Neal, has recently been reported wounded. -Free Lance, 3/9/1915.
Mr Chas. Neal, of Timatanga, has just received word that his youngest son, Percy Edward Neal, has been wounded at the Dardanelles. He had been in hospital for some time previous through sickness, and had only reached the fighting line a few days before receiving his wound, the nature of which is not yet known. Much sympathy is felt for the family, as it is only a few days since Mr Neal received the sad intelligence that his eldest son, William James Neal, aged 25, had been killed in action. Both sons, who were working with their father on the farm when the war broke out, left with the main body of the Expeditionary Force. -Pelorous Guardian and Miners Gazette, 3/9/1915.
PERSONAL.
Trooper Claude Picard, of Canvastown (nephew of Mrs R. Pike), was killed in action at the Dardanelles on August 8th. William James Neal, of Timatanga, who was killed in action at the Dardanelles, was an all-round athlete of no mean order. He represented the Link water Rifle Club on each occasion that the shield was won, and was for some time president of the Ronga Rifle Club. Being a particularly good shot, he was chosen as a sniper on his arrival at the front. In other branches of sport he was equally successful, and numerous trophies testify to his abilities as a runner —especially so in the mile and half mile distances. In past years he represented the Pelorus Football Club, and had also played for the Havelock representative team in the old Rugby days. His younger brother, Percy E. Neal, who is reported wounded, will be remembered as the owner of the racehorse Farly Bell. The elder brother was 29 years of age, and the younger is 25 years. It might be mentioned that the late Mr William James Neal, who was a grandson of Mr B. Neal, of Koromiko, and nephew of Mrs G. Horne, Seddon, was rejected when first he presented himself for enrolment, and it was sheer determination that got him through. His relatives and friends will no doubt find comfort in the fact that he gave his life for his country in the spirit of a true sport. Many have reason to remember his kindly nature, for he was always willing to give rather than gain by any advantage. -Pelorous Guardian and Miners Gazette, 7/9/1915.
PERSONAL.
A memorial service will be conducted in the Methodist Church, Carluke, on Sunday, October 3rd, at 2 p.m., to the memory of the late William Neal, recently killed at the Dardanelles. The preacher will be Mr T. Flower, of Havelock. -Pelorous Guardian and Miners Gazette, 28/9/1915.
William Neal died during the engagement in which his unit, the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, charged Turkish positions on the approach to Chunuk Bair, the strategic objective of the August offensive on Gallipoli Peninsula. On the day he died, the CMR suffered 40% casualties.
Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.
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