Neil was born on 27th June 1895 in Glasgow, Scotland to parents Daniel and Sarah. He was aged 5 on the 1901 Scotland Census, the youngest of seven children living at 414 Victoria Road, Glasgow.
He worked as a Warehouse Clerk before joining the Navy on 12th December 1916 for the duration of hostilities, recorded as being 5'6" tall, with dark brown hair and blue eyes.
He trained as an Ordinary Seaman at HMS VIVID I from 12th December 1916 until 8th March 1917 and posted to his first and only ship HMS VANGUARD on March 9th 1917.
He was aboard the ship exactly 4 months before he was killed. Following his death his pension was claimed by his sister Jessie, his Victory and British war medals awarded to his mother.
(#158 - 218/841)
Sources:
1901 Scotland Census
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 774
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 007 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0990
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 100
Photo - Glasgow Evening News 18th July 1917