Seven: Captain L. M. K. Neil, London Regiment

1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., 12-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Capt.); Denmark, Order of the Dannebrog, Frederick IX issue Knight’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Netherlands, Order of Orange Nassau, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, rosette on ribbon; Belgium, Order of the Crown, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, rosette on ribbon; Italy, Republic, Order of Merit, Knight’s breast badge, gilt and enamel, mounted for wear, virtually extremely fine (7) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Leo Henry Kent Neil was born on 7 October 1892 and educated at Forest School, Snaresbrook. Living at “Lyndthorpe”, Tavistock Road, South Woodford, he was gazetted to the 12th Battalion (The Rangers) London Regiment on 26 April 1915 and entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 1 August 1915. Promoted to Lieutenant, he was wounded in action on 22 September 1916, after which he was posted to the 9th Reserve Battalion London Regiment in England. Neil returned to France in June 1917 and remained there until he was demobilised in December 1919. For his wartime services he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 4 January 1917).

In civilian life, Neil worked four years with the Chief Accountant of the Great Eastern Railway and then 18 months in the Traffic Department of the company. In April 1917 the Director of Military Railways applied for Neil to be released from military service but this could not be accomplished. Continuing his career in the transport industry, Neil was elected a Member of the Institute of Transport on 9 June 1941 (later revised to a ‘Fellow’). At the time of the award his address was, ‘L.N.E. Railway, Rossmore Road, Marylebone, N.W.1’. For his work in the transport industry he was awarded the Order of the Dannebrog, Order of Orange Nassau (1956), Order of the Crown (1958) and Order of Merit (1958). He was awarded the Dutch order for services to the Dutch Shipping Industry, being the local manager of the Harwich-Hook Line.

With certificate appointing him a member of the Institute of Transport, with accompanying slip; Order of Orange Nassau bestowal document; Order of Merit bestowal document; and copied research.