Herbert Neail

Herbert was the son of Edwin Odam and Mary Neail nee Cullen. His father Edwin was born in Stilton, Huntingdonshire, in 1858 (A/M/J Peterborough Northants), the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Neail. His mother Mary was born in Nottngham in about 1857. They were married in 1879 (O/N/D Nottingham) and according to the information provided by Mary on the 1911 Census they had had ten children of whom three had died in infancy or childhood. Eight children have been identified from census and birth registration records: Eleanor b. 5 June 1880 (J/A/S Nottingham), Edwin Odam b. 1881 (O/N/D Belper) d. 1891 (J/F/M Nottingham), Wiliam b. 9 November 1883 (O/N/D Belper Derbyshire, DOB RN record). Mary Annie Elizabeth (Lizzie) b. 1885 (J/A/S Nottingham) bap. 5 August 1885 Nottngham St Mark, Mabel b. 2 February 1887 (J/F/M Nottingham), Herbert b. 1889 A/M/J Nottingham, Frederick b. 7 March 1891 (J/F/M Nottingham, DOB RN record) and Grace b. 1896 (J/A/S Nottingham). With the exception of William and probably Edwin Odam, who were born in Leabrooks, Alfreton, Derbyshire, the children were born in Nottingham. In 1881 Edwin (22) an iron moulder, and Mary (25) were living at Leabrooks, Chapel Lane, Alfreton, with their daughter Eleanor (under 1 year). At the time of their daughter Mary's baptism in August 1885 they were living in Nottingham at 11 Rushworth Terrace. However, by 1891 the family was living on Corporation Road, Nottingham: Edwin, a van driver, Mary, and their four children, Eleanor, William, Mary and Frederick (under 1 year). Edwin jnr. who had been born in 1881 after the census, died in the first quarter of 1891, shortly before the census. In 1901 they lived at 100 Beverley Street, St Ann's, Nottingham. Edwin (43) was now working as a packer. Six of their seven surviving children were still living at home: Eleanor (20) a lace pattern girl, Mary (15) an apron machinist, Mabel (14) an errand girl and Herbert (11), Frederick (10) and Grace (4). William, the eldest surviving son had joined the Royal Navy in July 1900 and was still serving. Only two of the children, William (27), who was out of work, and Grace (14), a telephone girl at a lace warehouse, were still living at home in 1911 by which time Edwin, working again as a van driver, and Mary were living at 9 Petersham Street, Lenton. Herbert has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. His father Edwin died on 9 January 1917 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged 58. The family home was still on Petersham Street. The death of his mother Mary was registered in 1946 (J/F/M Nottingham). Of Herbert's siblings: Eleanor married Walter Henry Jaques in 1902 (J/A/S Nottingham); they had three children: Constance Mary b. 1903, Winifred Ethel b. 1905 and James Walter (1907). In 1911, Walter (31) a master butcher, and Eleanor, were living in Nottingham with their three children Constance Mary (7), Winifred Ethel (5) and James Walter (3); they employed a domestic servant. Sarah Ellen Dring (14). Eleanor was widowed by the time the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled when she and her daughter Winifred (b. 5 April 1905) were living at 17 Shepton Crescent, Nottingham. Eleanor died on 10 March 1950 (J/F/M Nottingham). William joined the Royal Navy on 17 July 1900 as a domestic on a non-continuous engagement to the age of 23. He served in HMS Pembroke to 24 September 1901 and then in HMS Wildfire from 25 September 1901 to 5 September 1904. He married Harriet Green in 1915 (J/F/M Nottingham) and had two children William b. 1917 and Stanley b. 1922. In 1939 William was widowed and a sewage plant attendant living at New Pumfury Pumping Station, Trent Lane. Nottingham. He married secondly Louisa A Mills in 1939 (O/N/D Nottingham). William died on 2 September 1950 (J/A/S Nottingham) at 26 Fremount Drive, Beechdale, Nottingham. He was survived by Louisa. (See 'Extra information'). Mabel married Walter Newbold in 1907 (O/N/D Basford); they had three children: Grace Emily birth registered 1909, Walter b. 1910 and Harry birth registered 1909. In 1911 she and Walter, a farmer's son, were living at Wansley Hall Farm near Jacksdale, Nottinghamshire; they had two children, Grace Emily (2) and Walter (under 1 year). In 1939 Walter (b. 15 October 1883) an inn manager, and Mabel, were living at 173 Hanns Hall Road, Nottingham; also in the household was their son Harry (b. 3 February 1914) a ladies and gents hairdresser. Mabel died in 1975 (J/A/S Nottingham). Frederick was working as a cellarman when he joined the Royal Navy on 13 March 1909 on a 12 year engagement. He served as a stoker (K2404) but deserted his ship, HMS Hindustan, in Portsmouth in 1912 and was subsequently discharged SNLR (Services No Longer Required). He attested on 30 January 1915 having worked for Mr Newbold, Wansley Hall Farm, Jacksdale, as a carter for 14 months previously (see sister Mabel, m. Walter Newbold). Frederick gave his address as 6 Petersham Street, Lenton, and his next of kin as his father of the same address. The attestation form records his service with the Royal Navy. He served as a Gunner (93579) in the Foyal Field Artillery, 6th Trench Mortar Bn. and served with the BEF in France from 21 July 1915. He was discharged (wounds) on 2 April 1918. Frederick probably married Emma Crossley in 1919 (J/F/M Nottingham); there is a record of the birth of a Grace Neail in 1925 (O/N/D Haslingden Lancs-Crossley). By 1921 Frederick was living at 16 Glebe Street, Loughborough. However, there is a record in 1939 of a Frederick Neail (married, b. 7 March 1891) living in the household of William and Muriel Longworth at 2 Clarendon Road, Swinton & Pendlebury, Lancashire; he was working as a GPO cleaner. He married Elsie Boardman in 1944 (O/N/D Salford Lancashire). He died in 1951 (J/f/M Barton Lancashire); the probate record gives his address as 17 Ogden Street, Swinton, Lancashire, administration awarded to his widow, Elsie. Mary Anne Elizabeth married Albert Heard in 1916 (J/A/S Nottingham; they may have had one son, Albert E. b. 1920. She committed suicide in February 1929 aged 43; a report of the inquest appeared in the local paper on 27 February 1929 (see 'Extra information). She was living at 2 Boswell Street, Nottingham, at the time of her death. Grace probably married Ronald J Strathmore in 1920 (J/A/S Nottingham). She has not yet been traced after her marriage.

He was a town carter when he attested in 1914

Herbert attested on 30 August 1914 aged 24 years 105 days. He joined at Derby on 1 September 1914, initially in the 4th Bn (Reserve) Sherwood Foresters. He was appointed acting lance-corporal on 3 March 1915 but was deprived of his stripe in the September because of 'absence'. He served in France from 12 August 1915; on 21 August 1915 he was attached to No. 2 ASC Section, Horse Transport Depot. He was punished for 'insolence' and other transgressions in September 1915. Herbert, now serving with 'C' Company, suffered a gun shot wound to the face on 3 July 1916. He was treated in 2nd General Hospital on 4 July before being tranferred to the Hospital Ship 'Egypt' the following day and evacuated to the UK. Herbert was treated in hospital in Bath from 6 July 1916 to 8 August 1916 which included dental treatment (dentures). He had a second period in hospital with an unrelated illness from 29 September to 8 November 1916. On 30 December he was convicted of absenting himself from duty and sentenced to a period of detention. Herbert's Home service ended on 21 January 1917 and by 22 January 1917 he was again serving in France with the 16th Bn. He was awarded 14 days Field Punishment No.2 on 7 March for drunkeness. Herbert was awarded the Military Medal for an action on 4 November 1917 (London Gazette 14 January 1918). He was reported missing in March 1918 but his death may not have been confirmed until August 1919; he was presumed to have died on 25 March 1918. Herbert has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial (Panel 52 to 54). According to a notice of his death in a local paper in 1919 he was a stretcher bearer for the battalion. Home Service 30 August 1914-11 August 1915. Expeditionary Force 12 August 1915-5 July 1916. Home Service 6 July-21 January 1917. France 22 January 1917-25 March 1918. Total service 3 years 208 days. He qualfied for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His mother, Mary, was his sole legatee. His service documents ('burnt records') survive: his next of kin were named as his parents, Edwin and Mary Neail of 10 Petersham Street, Old Lenton and his brothers William (address not known) and Frederick (Australia). 'In memoriam' notice published 15th August 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post: “NEAIL. – Reported missing March 21st, 1918, now officially reported killed, Lce.-Corpl. Herbert Neail, M.M., stretcher bearer, Notts. and Derbys., in his 29 year, 3 years and 7 months' service, third beloved son of Mary and the late Edwin Odam Neail. He gave his life for the wounded. When the fire burns low, as the daylight fades, and I sit in my fireside chair, a well-loved form seems to rise from the shades, and I feel that my boy is there. But always he smiles and seems to say, “Don't think that I'm really gone, though I've passed through the valley of shadows I live; yes, live, and am still your son.” – From his sorrowing mother, sisters, and brothers.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918  Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 January 1920: ‘Neail. In loving memory of our dear father, who died suddenly, January 9th, 1917. Not forgotten by Nell [Eleanor] and Walter [Jaques].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 January 1920: ‘Neail. In loving memory of Edwin O Neail, died January 9th, 1917. Resting. - Wife. Also Lance-Cpl Herbert Neail MM, killed in action March 25th 1918, enlisted August, 1914. Silently mourned by mother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In memoriam’, 25 March 1920: ‘Neail. In loving memory of my brother Bert, MM, sleeping somewhere in France (unknown). Some day, (-) time the heart shall know. Still fondly remembered. Sister Grace and mother.’ (www.britishneswspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 27 February 1929: ‘Woman’s Gas Oven Death. When an inquest was held at Leenside yesterday on Mary Ann Elizabeth Heard, 43, of 2, Boswell-street, Nottingham, who put her head in a gas oven, it was stated that she had been complaining of pains in the head for the last few months. The jury returned a verdict of ‘Suicide with not sufficient evidence to show the state of deceased’s mind.''(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 13 March 1950: ‘Jaques. On March 10th, at Nottingham General Hospital, Eleanor, aged 69 years, beloved wife of the late Walter Henry Jaques, passed peacefully away after operation. Our very dearly loved mother and Nanna. Winifred, Connie, Claude, Gordon, Mary. Interment, Redhill Tuesday 1.30. From 35 Edingley-avenue Sherwood.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 2 September 1950: ‘Neail. September 2nd, suddenly at 28 Fremount-drive, Beechdale, William, late of Pumping Station, Trent-lane, beloved husband of Louisa, father of Stan and Bill and stepfather of Cyril, Ethel, Doris, Evelyn, Elsie and Kathleen. Service Wilford Hill, 3.15 Tuesday.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)