Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ralph Neate was a regular player with the 27th Battalion Football Team. Back in the war days, he joined the 27th Battalion 4th Reinforcements on the 19 May 1915. At that time, he was a 22-year-old civil servant. He was taken on strength with the 27th Battalion on 12 January 1916 in Egypt just after the Battalion had arrived back from Gallipoli. On 4th August 1916, while in the lines at Pozieres, during a night attack, he was wounded in action. He sustained a shrapnel wound to the buttocks and minor ear wound. He partially recovered after 3.5 years in hospital, he returned to the 27th Battalion and saw out the war with the Battalion. He arrived back into Adelaide on the 12 September 1919. Before the war he had played league football, he was a full forward for Sturt in 1914-15. But his spinal damage brought an end to him playing League football but he still continued to play for the 27th Battalion in the AIF Anzac Day matches. He died on 21 March 1968, his obituary listed his life achievements. He devoted his life to T.B. Sufferers. Ralph was the Secretary of the Tubercular Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Association for 28 years and was made Hon. Life Member of the S.S.A. in October 1958. His services to men, widows and children of T.B. sufferers was acknowledged by the Country when in 1960 when he was awarded an MBE for his lifetime devotion. He saw the association grow from 275 members to over 1,000. From 1932 to 1957 he was a delegate to the federated association. For more than 20 years he was on the relief committee of the Tubercular Soldiers' Aid Society.
He was also a life member of the National Football League. He was a member of the Mitcham Council for 10 years and was on various local war committees during World War II. Mr. Neate was a member of the Blackwood R.S.L. sub-branch since its inception and was secretary for 15 years and treasurer for 7 years and was appointed an honorary life member of the RSL league in 1951.