Born Otley, Yorkshire, 17 Jul 1879. Son of Thomas and Mary Veal, of Otley, Yorkshire Was educated at the Otley National School and employed by the Earl of Mexborough.
Married Edith E. Buff at Etton Parish Church, Beverley, on 6 Sept 1910. Husband of Edith E. Veal, of “Woodend,” Methley Park, Leeds and Etton, Beverley (war pension address).
They had two daughters, Mildred (born 4 Mar 1911) and Mabel Lilian, born 27 Dec 1912.
Enlisted at Pontefract, Yorkshire, on 31 Aug 1916. Posted to France, 30 Dec 1916. Served as Gunner in the 185th Royal Garrison Artillery. Wounded at Nieppe. Died of wounds, the following day, on 13 June 1918, aged 38, at the 51st Casualty Clearing Station. Buried at Aire Communal Cemetery, Aire-sur-l’Adour, France.
His Commanding Officer, wrote, “The battery was being shelled this particular night, and a shell killed three men. Your husband and a few others went to their assistance, thinking they were still alive. Another shell landed shortly afterwards and your husband and the others were hit. He died in hospital the next day and I was there to see him buried. I feel his loss very keenly as he was an exceptionally good worker, always to be relied upon, and I admired him immensely.”
His details are recorded in the UK, De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, 1914-1919, Volume 4, page 219.
