49th Battalion (C Company), Royal Canadian Regiment (Canadian Army)
Date Of Birth:
03/07/1893
Died:
01/10/1918 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
25
Summary
Robert Neville was the son of James and Helena Neville. Robert was born in County Tyrone on 3rd July 1893. The 1911 census shows Robert as 17. He is working on his father’s farm. The family lived at Moygashel, Dungannon. Robert emigrated to Canada where he worked as a farmer. He enlisted on 6th May 1915 at Edmonton, aged 22. He was single and gives his next of kin as his father, James. Private Robert Neville was serving with the Alberta Regiment of the Canadian Infantry when he died in France on 1st October 1919, age 26
Further Information
Robert Neville was the son of James and Helena Neville. James Neville and Helena Edwards were married on 14th December 1883 in the district of Dungannon.
Robert Neville was born in Dungannon on 3rd July 1893. He was one of twelve children , all born in Dungannon.
The 1901 census records Robert as 7 years old. James Neville was a farmer. The family lived at Moygashel, Dungannon.
Known family: James Neville, Helena Neville, Thomas Neville (born 27th November 1884, twin), William Neville (born 27th November 1884, twin), Ellen Elizabeth Neville (born 25th November 1885), James Neville (born 8th November 1886) , Margaret Neville (born 16th February 1889), Robert Neville (born 3rd July 1893), Elena Neville (born 1st May 1894 or 7th February 1895), Sarah Neville (born 13th June 1896), Mary Anne Neville (born 31st July 1897), Charlotte Neville (born 9th December 1900), Jane Jennie Neville (born 7th August 1902), Edith Neville (born 3rd August 1906).
Robert Neville was educated at Dungannon Royal School between 1906 and 1910.
The 1911 census shows Robert as 17. He was working on his father’s farm. The family lived at Moygashel, Dungannon.
Robert emigrated to Canada where he worked as a farmer.
1915
Robert Neville enlisted on 6th May 1915 at Edmonton, aged 22. He was single and gives his next of kin as his father, James.
1916
In June 1916, Private Neville was wounded in the thigh and foot by shrapnel.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 15 June 1916
Private Robert Neville, Canadian Infantry, son of Mr James Neville, Moygashel, has been wounded in the thigh and foot by shrapnel. He was educated at Dungannon Royal School, and afterwards went to Canada, and volunteered after the outbreak of the war. His brother, Private James Neville, is also at the front.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 17th June 1916:
Private Robert Neville, 49th Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and fourth son of Mr James Neville, Moygashel, Dungannon, has been wounded in the thigh and foot by shrapnel. He was educated at Dungannon Royal School and afterwards went to Canada to take up a business position, but he volunteered after the outbreak of war and went to the front last autumn. His brother, Private James Neville, is also at the front, having joined the Princess Pats at Toronto.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 5 October 1916: James Neville (brother)
Mr James Neville, Moygashel, Canadian Infantry, has been wounded. He had resigned a good position in Toronto to volunteer with his brother, Private Robert Neville, of the same battalion. The latter was wounded in June last, and is still in hospital in England.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 7th October 1916: James Neville (brother)
Mr James Neville, Moygashel, Dungannon, has received intimation that his son, Private James Neville, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry has been wounded in action and is in hospital abroad. He resigned a good position in Toronto, Canada to volunteer along with his brother, Private Robert Neville, of the same battalion. The latter was wounded in June last, and is still in hospital in England.
1918
Private Robert Neville was serving with the Alberta Regiment of the Canadian Infantry when he was severely wounded in the lungs and neck by machine gun bullets during an attack on Tilloy on 29th September 1918,
Private Robert Neville succumbed to his wounds two days later at No. 7 Canadian General Hospital , Etaples, France on 1st October 1918, age 26.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 7th October 1918:
Private Robert Neville, Canadian Infantry, who died on 1st October from gunshot wounds in the neck received in action, was the youngest son of Mr James Neville, Moygashel, Dungannon, and was educated at Dungannon Royal School.
Circumstances of Casualty. – Robert Neville died of wounds.
He was severely wounded in the lungs and neck by machine gun bullets during an attack on Tilloy on 29th September 1918, and succumbed two days later at No. 7 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples
Private Robert Neville is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. His inscription reads: HE NEVER SHUNNED HIS COUNTRY'S CALL BUT GLADLY GAVE HIS LIFE, HIS ALL
Private Robert Neville is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
The CWGC records Private Robert Neville as the son of James and Helena Neville of Moygashel House, Dungannon.
Many thanks to Paul Kerr and the Royal School Dungannon for his research and all the information provided in his book (page 45)
