Neil Macdonald, Illeray, North Uist

Private NEIL MACDONALD
Last known address in North Uist: Illeray, North Uist
Son of John and Alexanderina Macdonald
Service unit: 1st Otago Regiment NZEF
Service number: 8/2519
Date of birth: 11 March 1897
Date of death: 14 July 1916 at the age of 23
Initially reported missing, believed killed
Interred: Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, grave II. E. 21
Local memorial: North Uist

Neil was a barman, living at the Railway Hotel in Mosgiel, New Zealand, when he signed up on 11 March 1915.

Height: 5 ft 5½
Complexion: dark
Eyes: grey
Hair: dark brown
Religion: presbyterian

Embarked for Alexandria, Egypt, in October 1915, and arrived there on 27 December 1915. He left for France on 6 April 1916, where he was killed three months later. 

Neil is shown in the 1901 census, aged 8, at Claddach Kirkibost Schoolhouse, the son of John (58) and Lexy [Alexanderina] (50), and brothe rof Ronald (23), Donald Ewen (21) and Alexander (11).