Robert Patrick Neville, MC

Forename(s):
Robert Patrick

Surname:
Neville, MC

Initial(s):
R P

Service Number:
Officer, 1185

Rank:
Captain

Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1/7th Battalion Territorial Force

Died:
27/10/1917

Buried:
Solferino Farm Cemetery near Ypres

Service History:
Died of wounds received from enemy bomb on Transport Lines in Cheapside Area near Ypres.

Commended for gallantry in April 1915 in the first period of action when the 7th went into battle:

To Headquarters first line Northumbrian Brigade

Sir,

I have the honour to bring to your notice the distinguished conduct of Lieutenant and Quartermaster Neville of the Battalion under my command during the recent operations near YPRES.

On one occasion a G.S. waggon of the Battalion was passing through YPRES and one of the horses was killed by a shell and the driver left the waggons. Quartermaster Neville at considerable risk ran forward and unharnessed the other horse which he took back to a place of safety.

On another occasion, the transport of the brigade was held up at YPRES, information having been received that it was impossible to get forward due to heavy shellfire. Lieutenant Neville went forward by himself to reconnoitre and on returning led the convoy through.

I have the honour to be Sir your obedient servant,

(Signed) G Scott Jackson, Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 7th Northumberland Fusiliers

Awarded the Military Cross.
He was listed as 'Qr.-Mr. & Hon. Lt.' (i.e., Quarter Master & Honorary Lieutenant); he was responsible for the battalion's logistics rather than being primarily a combatant officer. Until 1911 Neville had been Colour Sergeant (& acting Sergeant Major) in the same battalion - Quartermasters tended to be commissioned from the ranks.

'The War History of 7th Northumberland Fusiliers' (via public libraries in Northumberland) Biographical Notices records - 'For his able, gallant, & distinguished services, Mr Neville was awarded the MC, & later promoted to the rank of Captain; honours which were a source of gratification to all members of the battalion. It was a heavy blow to all, when, by the explosion of a bomb dropped by an enemy aeroplane, his beloved battalion & his country were deprived of the life & services of so true a gentleman & so gallant a soldier.'

Background:

From a Dublin military family. His father Richard Neville served in the Northumberland Fusiliers 1856-1874. Robert Patrick Neville attended the Royal Hibernian Military School in Dublin 1882-1885. He then served in the Northumberland Fusiliers 1885-1917. His younger brothers Horatio and Sylvester also followed the same path and enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers. Both were casualties of the Boer War; Horace was killed and Sylvester was permanently injured, and discharged on medical grounds.

Robert Patrick Neville settled in Northumberland after the Boer War, with his wife and eventually six children. As Acting Sergeant Major he set up the new 7th battalion.

For more information:

-Captain Robert Patrick Neville MC 1871-1917 and his family by Mike Cashman, 2024, ISBN 979-8335280150

- Captain Robert Patrick Neville MC 1871-1917 by Judith Hughes, 2014

Local Memorial:
Alnwick War Memorial and Roll of Honour, St Michael’s Church.