The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Warne
- First Name:
- Neil
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX8626
- Classification:
- Signaller
- Company:
- Headquarters Company, No 1 Platoon Signals
- Enlisted:
- 18.10.1940
- DOB:
- 2.04.1910
- Place of Birth:
- Laverton, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- William Evans Warne
- Mothers's Name:
- Adeline Eustice Warne (nee Thomas)
- Religion:
- Methodist
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Bank Clerk
- Memorial:
- Kranji War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row A, Grave 8, Age 31.
- Cause of Death:
- Killed in Action
- Place of Death:
- Hill 200, Ulu Pandan
- Date of Death:
- 12.02.1942
- Buried:
- Where killed, at map reference 763132 by Major A. Cough Party on 21.12.1942
General Description
Neil enlisted AIF 18 Oct 1940 and later joined 2/4th MGB’s Headquarters No. 1 Platoon as a signaller under Commanding Officer Lt. Frank Curnow who was also KIA Hill 200, Ulu Pandan.
Neil was KIA at Hill 200, Ulu Pandan during battle for Singapore. At least 6 soldiers from HQ Platoon died during battle at Hill 200. Neil’s body was not recovered until 21 Dec 1942, when Major Cough was finally given permission by the Japanese 10 months after their deaths in Feb 1942 to take out a search party.
Neil’s parents William Evans Warne born Bendigo 1871 and Adeline Eustice Thomas married 1902 Perth. Neil’s father William was a JP at Southern Cross at least during the early 1930’s. This role required his regular presence at court cases.
Neil attended Eastern Goldfields School and in 1926 passed his Junior Certificate Examination with six subjects.
Neil’s grandfather Robert Thomas died Bendigo 1918, Neil would have been about 8 years old.
Below: Neil’s grandmother died in 1926.
Neil was educated at Eastern Goldfields High School and in 1936 passed his Junior Certificate Examination with 6 subjects before being employed with the Commercial Bank in Kalgoorlie in 1936, 1937. In 1931 the Electoral Roll shows Neil living at Stanmore Street, Subiaco with his mother. Prior to his enlistment in 1940, he was recorded living with his parents in Subiaco.
Height 5′ 11″
Neil’s mother Adeline Eustace Warne died August 1948. His father died several years earlier in 1946, Perth.
