OBITUARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5288, 28 May 1904, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MAJOR-GENERAL McNETLL. A VICTORIA CROSS HERO. PRESS ASSOCIATION. WANGANUI, May 27. News by private cable received this morning announces the death at St. James’s Palace, London, of Major-Gene-ral Sir John McNeill, V.C., G.C.V.0., K.C.13.. Equerry to tho King. Deceased was a brother of Mr Alex. McNeill, sen., of Wanganui. Deceased, who was the eldest son of the late Captain Alexander McNoill, of Colonsay, Greenock, was seventy-three years of age. Ho entered tho army in 1850, and. had a long ana varied experience in active service. Ho served as A.D.o. to Sir Edward Lugard in tho Indian Mutiny in 1838, being present at the siege and capture of Lucknow, and at tho operations of the Azimghur field force, oeing mentioned in despatches, and for his distinguished services he received a medal with clasp. In ISSI ho came out to New Zealand, and was A.D.C. to Sir Duncan Cameron during tho Maori war till 1865. Ho took part in the actions at the Gate Pah. Rangiriri, Rangiaohia, and Nukumaru, receiving a medal and Victoria Cross for his gallantry. In 186 G-7 he was in command of tho Tipperary Plying Col. umn during the Fenian disturbance. From 1869 to 1872 ho was Military Secretary to Lord Lisgar, Governor-General ->f Canada, and in 1870 was attached to the staff of tho Red River ,Expedition. Ho was colonel on the staff, and second in command of tho Ashanteo Expedition n 1873-4, being present at the destruction of Essaman, where he was very severely wounded; and at Amquana, Akirnfoo and Amponoe. Sir John McNoill served through tho Egyptian campaign of 1882, receiving a medal, a bronze star, and. the second-class raedjidie, as well as a K.C.B, He was Brigadier-General in the Suakim Expedition in 1885, and commanded the force at Tbfrik. In 1874 ho was A.D.C. to Hie Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, In 1880 he accompanied Prince Leopold to Canada, and in 1882 the Luke of Connaught to Egypt. Deceased, who was unmarried, had been living in retirement of late years.