Horace Richard Neville

Horace Richard Neville was born around 1893 in Northchurch, England. It’s unknown when or how he came to Australia.

On 10th August 1915, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single 22-year-old dairy farmer from Cudgewa, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 3885 and placed in the 12th Reinforcements of the 6th Battalion. Horace gave his next of kin as father, Charles Neville. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A40 Ceramic at Melbourne, Victoria, on 23rd November 1915.

After undertaking more training in Egypt, Horace was taken on strength with the 6th Battalion. The battalion embarked on the Ballarat on 26th March, disembarking at the Port of Marseilles one week later. 

He was wounded by a gunshot wound to the arm and head, soon after arriving at the front. He rejoined the 6th Battalion on 4th August 1916. Shortly after, he was transferred to the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company. He remained with them for two months before rejoining the 6th Battalion. Between August 1917 and March 1918, Harry was fortunate to be given two two-week leave periods in the UK. 

On the 28th August 1918, he was gassed while in the field with the battalion. He was evacuated from France, taken to England, and admitted to the 2/1st Southern General Hospital at Dudley Road, Birmingham. 

Horace married Ethel Mary Fielding on the 10th January 1919 at St Editha’s Church, Amington, Staffordshire, England.

On 3rd August 1919, he returned to Australia aboard the SS Zealandic, with the rank of Private. He was discharged on 17th October 1919, being awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the war.

After returning to Australia, he and Ethel settled in the Nariel Valley, where Horace farmed. He passed away on the 21st October 1951 in Albury and was buried in Waugh Road Cemetery, North Albury, NSW.