Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Alfred and Ann Buckham NEAL, Tambo Upper, Mossiface, Victoria

There was a feeling of genuine regret at Tambo Upper when the news came on Thursday, 7th inst., that Bomber A. B. D. Neal had been killed on the battle fields of France, on the  29th July. The deceased young soldier was the second eldest son of Mr and Mr Alf. Neal, of Tambo Upper, and was highly respected by a large circle of friends. He sailed from  Australia on 26th August, 1915, and after only three days in Egypt was sent to Gallipoli, where he served for some time, and took part in the evacuation. He was then sent to France where he one of the bravest of soldiers— laid down his life for his country, a fact regretted by. all. As a mark of respect, the flag at the school was lowered to half-mast. His  parents, brothers and sisters have the deepest sympathy of the residents of the district in their sad bereavement. His elder brother, Driver J. A. Neal, is with the artillery  in England, and a younger  brother, Pte. W. A. Neal, is in camp at Castlemaine.

Letter to the Director General of Recruiting 125 -2 –779, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne
Dear Sir, I write to you, out of a full heart, on behalf of my friends, Mr and Mrs Alf Neal, the parents of No 1955 Pte A.B.D. Neal D. Company 24th Batt. Who was killed in France on 29th July 1916. Up to date, not one article of his belongings have been received by his parents. This brave boy, only 21 years when killed, served on Gallipoli and volunteered for rear guard at the evacuations, and must have been one of the last to leave, as there was no one to collect his evacuation ticket. Later, in writing home to his parents, he mentioned having thought of sending it and some cones from “Lone Pine” Hill, home to them, but was afraid of them going astray, and preferred keeping them till he was coming home after the war. He also possessed a wristlet watch, presented to him by his Tambo Upper friends, and some trophy’s he had won in sport contests on the Transport and in France.
His brave little mother, who has two other sons serving in France, No 20366 (?) J.A. Neal and Pte W.A. Neal, No 2704, would be so grateful to have any little thing he had touched before he passed out. If you would be so kind as to make inquiries and use your influence in finding his belongings, you would forever have the deepest thanks of his people and friends.
I think this brave woman (Mrs Alfred Neal) can claim a place in the Empire with the woman of England and Northern France. She has reared a family of 10 children, 6 sons and 4 daughters, and, as stated, her three eldest sons, 23, 21, and 19 years respectively have served and still serving the Empire.
Then there are 4 girls and then 3 little boys 8, 5, and 2½ years. You will see these parents have given all their farm help to the war. Last Spring, rather than employ a shirker (as Mrs Neal said) to earn the money which her boys would have done, had they been home, she worked two horses and helped her husband to put in the crop. They are working a farm on the share system. In this small district of Tambo Upper, there are two families with German fathers and Australian mothers and with three eligible sons in each family.
One of these Germans has the Post and telephone office and the mail contract, and a daughter, a school teacher, and it was this German that took the sad news to Mr and Mrs Neal, of their son being killed.
I believe, that about 12 months ago, this German (signed) transferred the Post Office over to his daughter, thinking he might lose it on account of the War.
With these eligible fellows here, and their holding Government positions and Dr Mannis’s speeches in the daily papers, there is no chance of any more recruits from this district.
I am President of Tambo Upper Red Cross Society, and have received communications from Recruiting Committees asking our help, but, with these Germans being allowed to hold these positions, it is not at all encouraging. Trusting you will be able to use your influence in both these cases, and hoping you will pardon me for writing at such length. I am, Dear Sir, Yours truly, (Mrs) (Lorna?) Solomon.
(Letter from Australian National Archives and was written 16th April 1917)