WW1 Private George Walker McNeil 40611

George McNeil was born 14 Feb 1885 to William McNeill and Isabella McNeill of Scotland. He attended Remuera School.

At his time of attestation on 16 October 1916 at age 31, he was working as a carpenter with Remuera firm H. H. Green. He was living in Remuera with his mother at 38 Norana Avenue, his father being deceased.

He embarked on 14 Mar 1917 on the Ruapehu as Lance Corporal in 23rd Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Regiment, A Company. After training in Sling Camp in England, he proceeded overseas on 22 June 1917 in 2nd Auckland Company and then joined the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment in Rouen. On December 18th he was detached to the 4/2 Army Troops Company. On 30 March 1918 at the final push for the Somme, he was wounded in his back, resulting in paraplegia. He was transferred out to No 2 N Z General hospital at Walton-on-Thames in England on 2 April 1918. On 2nd May George returned to New Zealand on the Hospital Shop Maheno, receiving a hospital and convalescent home certificate authorising him to be admitted to Auckland Hospital.

He died on 9 November 1918 from his wounds and was buried at Purewa Cemetery, Block A Row 14 Plot 82. George Walker McNeil is remembered on the Remuera Primary School memorial gates.