Name
William Neal
1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/07/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
14191
Dorsetshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AMARA WAR CEMETERY
XVI. H. 11.
Iraq
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
William Neal was born William Herbert Mansell, in Hitchin, Herts, in 1890, the son of Priscilla Jane Mansell who was born in Charlton, near Hitchin. He was baptised on 17 January 1890 in Hitchin and his father is not named.
On the 1891 Census his mother was 20 and living in Kensington, London, and working as a General Domestic Servant. William (Willie, 1) Mansell was living with his aunt and uncle, Jesse and Kate Brown (nee Mansell) and their family at 3 West Alley, Hitchin in 1891.
His mother married John Neill on 14 January 1894 in St Andrews’s Church, in the Parish of Fulham. John was recorded as a coach smith.
On the 1901 Census he was listed as William Mansell, aged 11, ‘a relation’, and living with John (40) and Priscilla Neill (29) and their children Dorothy (6), John (3) and Alexander (1 month) at Mayfield Cottages, Foots Cray, Chislehurst, Kent.
By 1911 John and Priscilla had moved to 46 Anselm Road, Fulham. John Neill was working as a builder’s smith. William, now 21, remained living with them and was working as brewers yard labourers but was, confusingly, listed as William Mansell, nephew, i.e. not son or stepson. John and Priscilla’s children, and half siblings to William, were listed as Dorothy, Florence (14), John, Alexander, Priscilla (9), Herbert (5) and Margaret (3).
The Soldiers Died In The Great War database records that he was born in Boxmoor, Herts [incorrect] and was living in Muswell Hill, Middlesex when he enlisted in Fulham, Middlesex.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Muswell Hill, London and served with the 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment and some records have him as formerly 16121, Devonshire Regiment.
He appears to have chosen to serve under the name William Neal, but some records do record Neill.
He was killed in action on 6 July 1916 in Mesopotamia. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated at the Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.
Additional Information
After his death £3 17s 10d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother, listed as Priscilla Neill, on 6 July 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £4 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 26 November 1919.
His pension cards record his mother and as Priscilla Neill his next of kin, living at 70 Muswell Hill Place, Muswell Hill, London and she was given a pension od 4s 2d a week, but also received an identical amount for William’s half brother John of London Rifle Brigade (Reg. No. 304279), who died 14 April 1917.
Although SDITGW states William was born in Boxmoor, but this is incorrect and he was born in the Hitchin area of Hertfordshire. The surname Neal is also written as Neill on some records.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
