Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alexander Terence Neale was a seaman born in London, England. He migrated to Adelaide, Australia with his mother Louisa Neale. In Adelaide, on the 2nd of August in 1915, Alexander enlisted to go to war when he was just 23 and 3 months old. At the time Alexander was 6 feet and 2 inches tall, had dark hair, had brown eyes and was single.

Alexander embarked in the HMAT Benalla in Adelaide on the 27th of October in 1915 and headed to a training camp at Serapeum in Egypt. At this camp, Alexander joined the 10th Battalion but a day later was taken on strength from the 10th Battalion and changed to the 27th Battalion for reinforcements.

Alexander along with the 27th Battalion entered the front line trenches in Rouen, France for the first time on the 7th of April in 1916. Alexander Terence Neale was wounded in action with a shrapnel wound on his left hand and it was not until 10 days later that Alexander was severely injured and admitted to the 9th general hospital on the 24th of July. Alexander was discharged to base on the 31st of July where he proceeded to join his Battalion who four days before had begun to take part in their first major battle at Pozieres.

After finishing their contribution in fighting at Pozieres on the 5th of August, the battalion proceeded to help out a small sector in the front of Belgium and then further travel to Flers in the Somme Valley. In Flers, Alexander and the Battalion were involved in two attacks that were proved difficult for the soldiers due to the large amounts of mud.

After Flers, the 27th Battalion participated in minor attacks during the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917. Also in early 1917, on the 22nd of January Alexander was appointed the position of Lance Corporal. This role of Lance Corporal was given to a soldier to recognise a soldiers potential before a promotion to Corporal. They would usually be responsible for a small section of men it was his duty to make sure that men carried out their individual duties.

Alexander’s last eighteen months at war consisted of continual visits to the hospital due to illness. After re-joining his unit from the hospital on the 12th of March 1917, Alexander fell sick again and was admitted to hospital on the 30th June. Alexander re-joined his battalion from the hospital where he continued the role of Lance Corporal on the 30th of June 1917. A few weeks later on the 18th of July, Alexander Terence Neale was promoted to the role of Corporal. The role of Corporal involved commanding a small section of men in an Infantry Battalion. Later this month, he was discharged to base continuing to help out at the Hindenburg line where on the 20th of September he contributed to a major attack. After the attack, they continued on to the Battle of Menin Road and then to Broodseinde Ridge, where the 27th Battalion played a role in the capturing of Broodseinde Ridge on the 4th of October 1917.

On the 13th of March in 1918, Alexander was again admitted to hospital sick. He then re-joined his battalion on the 30th of May at the German Spring Offensive, along with many other AIF battalions. The 15th of June was the last time Alexander was in the hospital sick, as on the 22nd of July he proceeded to Muskery Inst course, England.

Alexander Terence Neale embarked back to England on the 3rd of February 1919. Although there is no record, Alexander then travelled back to Adelaide. On the 1st of September 1926, Alexander got married at the Summertown Methodist church to Grace Ellen Bonython who wore a “pretty beaded sequin dress”.

While at war, Alexander received three medals including the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the Star Medal. The British War Medal marks the end of World War One and records that service was given, the Victory Medal was given when the Allied forces had victory over the Central Powers, the Star Medal was awarded for service in specified theatres of war between 5th August 1914 and the 31st December 1915.

Today, you can find Alexander Terence Neale at the AIF Cemetery, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide (Section: KO, Road: 21, Site No: 35).

Bibliography:

Ezera, E, 2014, Pearson History 9, 1st Edition, Victoria, Australia: Pearson Australia

RSL Virtual War Memorial 2018, Mindvision, accessed 2 April 2018, <https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au> 

Trove. 01 Sep 1926 - WEDDINGS. – Trove 2018, accessed 2 March 2018, <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47014987?searchTerm=Alexander%20Terence%20Neale&searchLimits=.>

Australian War Memorial 2018, accessed 2 April 2018, <https://www.awm.gov.au>.

The AIF Project 2018, Australian Defence Force Academy, accessed 2 April 2018, <https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=220884>.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission 2018, accessed 2 April 2018, <https://www.cwgc.org>.

National Archives of Australia 2018, Australian Government, accessed 2 April 2018, <http://www.naa.gov.au>.

State Library of South Australia 2018, WebPAC, accessed 2 April 2018, <http://www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au>.