Alexander Neat

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 15/05/2016 - 15:05

First Name:

Alexander

Last Name:

Neat

Date of Birth:

Friday, March 28, 1890

Mother's Name:

Isabella Neat nee Scott

Father's Name:

Francis Neat

Date Enlisted:

Thursday, September 24, 1914

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

1st Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Tuesday, October 31, 1933

Place of Death:

Cessnock, N.S.W.

Details:

Alexander Neat (Service No 1076) was born in Durham, England and arrived in Australia in 1907; Alexander had served for 3 years with the Kings Own Scottish Borders.

At enlistment Alexander was a single, 23 years old, employed as a driver, and lived at Scarborough, N.S.W.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A19 Afric with H Company, 1st Battalion, on 18th October 1914. The troops arrived in Egypt and after training, Alexander arrived on Gallipoli on 7th May 1915. While taking part in the attack on Lone Pine he was wounded in action sometime between 6th and 9th August, and evacuated to hospital in Malta and England for treatment of a gun shot wound to his arm and shrapnel wound to his head.

Alexander then served in England for some time, and was subsequently assigned to 1st Battalion in France on 4th December 1917.

On 28th March, his 27th birthday, Alexander was gassed and hospitalised. He returned to his unit on 20th June 1918.

Alexander was returned to Australia in October 1918 for Special '1914' Leave, which was granted to soldiers who had enlisted in 1914. While he was on leave, the war ended, and Alexander was discharged on 22nd February 1919.

After the war he married Mary Ann Vardy and they raised 2 sons.

Alexander is buried in a grave that has been restored as part of the First World War Centenary Commemorations.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, NEAT ALEXANDER