John Carstairs Mcneill
Lieutenant Colonel, 107th Regiment *. Bengal Infantry
- Register No.
- 812 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- 107th Regiment *. Bengal Infantry (register: 107th Bengal Infantry Regiment) all 107th Bengal Infantry Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 30 March 1864 on this day → all of 1864 →
- Conflict / campaign
- New Zealand Wars
- London Gazette
- 16th August 1864 on this day → all of 1864 →
- Born
- 29th March 1831 at Colonsay, Argyllshire, Scotland
- Died
- 25th May 1904 at London
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 30th March 1864, Colonel McNEILL, along with two Privates, Vosper and Gibson of the Colonial Defence Force, were proceeding to Te Amawutu, New Zealand. When returning from there, the officer saw a body of the enemy in front, about a mile from Ohampu. He sent Private Gibson back to bring up the Infantry, whilst he and Private Vosper made their way leisurely to the top of the rise, in order to get a better view of the enemy. About 50 natives, who had been hiding in the bush, suddenly attacked them. Their only chance of escape was to ride as fast as they could, but as they turned to gallop, Private Vosper's horse fell and he was thrown. The natives rushed forward, and noticing that Vosper was no longer behind him, Lieutenant Colonel McNeil returned and caught his horse and helped him to mount. The enemy were extremely close and firing at them, but they managed to escape by galloping away
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McNEILL, John Carstairs. (reg No. 812).
Lieutenant Colonel. 107th Regiment *. Bengal Infantry.
London Gazetted on 16th August 1864.
Born on 29th March 1831 at Colonsay, Argyllshire, Scotland.
Died on 25th May 1904 at London.
Memorial not known Digest of Citation reads: On 30th March 1864, Colonel McNEILL, along with two Privates, Vosper and Gibson of the Colonial Defence Force, were proceeding to Te Amawutu, New Zealand. When returning from there, the officer saw a body of the enemy in front, about a mile from Ohampu. He sent Private Gibson back to bring up the Infantry, whilst he and Private Vosper made their way leisurely to the top of the rise, in order to get a better view of the enemy. About 50 natives, who had been hiding in the bush, suddenly attacked them. Their only chance of escape was to ride as fast as they could, but as they turned to gallop, Private Vosper's horse fell and he was thrown. The natives rushed forward, and noticing that Vosper was no longer behind him, Lieutenant Colonel McNeil returned and caught his horse and helped him to mount. The enemy were extremely close and firing at them, but they managed to escape by galloping away.
* Royal Sussex Regiment.
Additional information:. Major General Sir John McNeill was made a Knight Grand Cross of Royal Victorian Order (GCVO). A Knight Commander of the Bath (KCB ) and a a Knight Commander of St Michael and St George. (KCMG). He also held the Knight of Medjidie of Turkey. In 1874 he was appointed Equerry to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. More to be added.
Additional information
Major General Sir John McNeill was made a Knight Grand Cross of Royal Victorian Order (GCVO). A Knight Commander of the Bath (KCB ) and a a Knight Commander of St Michael and St George. (KCMG). He also held the Knight of Medjidie of Turkey. In 1874 he was appointed Equerry to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. More to be added.
* Royal Sussex Regiment.
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Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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