Born Hull 1893. Son of Oswald Neal (1863-1929) and Alice pawson (1864-1938), of 29 Redbourne Street, Hull (CWGC address). Census record shows address as Shop at 45 Marmaduke Street, Hull, having 4 rooms and occupation as Printers Apprentice. Other residents are parents Oswald (aged 47), Alice (aged 46), and siblings Oswald Etherington (aged 21) and Alice (aged 13). Wilfred worked as a printer’s apprentice for his father.
Military record shows Sergeant W. W. Neal No. 12/311 of the East Yorkshire Regiment, 12th Battalion was Killed in Action on 13th November 1916, aged 23. Awarded the British Army Medal, the World War 1 Star and the Victory Medal. His army effects were given to his father, Oswald.
Hull Pals Memorial Post. SGT, WILFRED WAKELIN NEAL 12/311. Born 1893, Wilfred was the third of four children and youngest son to Oswald and Alice Neal of 28 Redbourne Street, Hull. A Printer by trade he enlisted at City Hall in September 1914 joining the 12th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, 3rd Hull Pals. Wilfred was killed in action on 13th November 1916 during the attack on German positions at Serre. This marked the last desperate action of the disastrous Somme campaign, which had ground on since July 1st killing or wounding more than a million men. Impossible to imagine a million men. More poignant to look into the eyes of this proud young man and multiply his loss by the population of Birmingham. That should do it. Wilfred is buried in Euston Road Cemetery; he was 23 years old.
