TOPIC:

Born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, Thomas enlisted in the Rifle Brigade in November 1884 at age 18. His attestation papers describe him as 5’4”, fair-haired, with grey eyes.

He served in Egypt (1887–1888), South Africa (1888–1889), and India (1889–1892) before re-engaging in 1896.

Boer War Service:
Arrived in South Africa in June 1900, after the fall of Pretoria, and served until November 1901.
His battalion was engaged in the guerrilla phase of the war, conducting sweeping drives, convoy escorts, and blockhouse duties across the Transvaal and Orange Free State.

He endured harsh conditions: long marches, exposure to ambushes, and the monotony of blockhouse garrison life.
Entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal, with clasps reflecting his service in the Transvaal and Orange Free State.

Family Life During Service: At the time of his Boer War deployment, Thomas was married to Rosina Maud Maria Neal (married in 1895) and had two young sons — Thomas Henry Jr. (born 1896) and Alfred Edwin (born 1898). His absence left Rosina to manage the household in Birmingham during the war years.

Discharge & Later Life: After 19 years of service, he was discharged in November 1901 and became a Chelsea Pensioner. He later worked for the Birmingham Corporation.

Death: He died in Birmingham in March 1929, aged 60, and was buried at Yardley Cemetery.

WWI Service:
Served as a Private in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), regimental number 2032. He entered France on 31 March 1915, qualifying for the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.

RAMC men were stretcher-bearers and ambulance personnel, often under fire. His service placed him in France at the start of the Second Battle of Ypres.

WWII Service:

By 1939, he was living in Birmingham and working for the Birmingham Corporation as a Driver, but also served as an ARP ambulance driver, part of Britain’s Civil Defence network during the Blitz.
WWI Service:
Enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, 1st RM Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Regimental Number PO. 1792-S.

Death: Killed in action on 26 October 1917, aged 19, during the Second Battle of Passchendaele. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Family Legacy
• Rosina Maud Maria Neal (wife of Thomas Sr.): Born in London, she raised a large family while her husband and sons served abroad.
• Other Children: Several daughters (Laura Ada, Ida Matilda, Dorothy Mary, Rosina Maud) and younger sons (Louis, Raymond George) appear in census records, showing the family’s resilience through wartime Birmingham.
Significance
The Neal family exemplifies the continuity of service across three major conflicts:
• Father (Thomas Sr.) fought in the Boer War while leaving behind a young family.
• Two sons (Thomas Jr. and Alfred Edwin) served in WWI, one surviving and one killed in action.
• Thomas Jr. continued into WWII as an ARP ambulance driver, protecting civilians during air raids.

Their story reflects both the military tradition and the civilian sacrifice of Birmingham families in the early 20th century.