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The Siberian Intervention

This is the story of Second Lieutenant David Neil who first served as a Corporal in the C.E.F. Granted a commission as a Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps, David the first man CEFRG researched who participated in the war in Russia during 1919. As a Lieutenant, once tried and convicted by General Courts Martial (G.C.M.). But, highly unusual, the proceedings of the trial sealed.

Early Life

Corporal David Neil 222161 born in Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland on 29 October 1879. His parents James & Elizabeth Neil of Cleland, Scotland. David married to Mrs Alice Neil. The Neil’s had seven children (Thomas 12, David 11, Isabella 9, Elizabeth 7, Alexander 5, Robert 3, & John 1). David, an electrician and wireless operator from Cape Breton.

First Attestation

Private David Neil attested on 6 October 1915 at Halifax with the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). David was 35 years old, standing 5’5″ tall, 130 pounds, with fair complexion, blue eyes, and light-brown hair. He was Presbyterian.

The Little Black Devils — Rations (8th Infantry Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles)). May, 1916. MIKAN No. 3395455

In December of 1915, David promoted to Acting Corporal, and full Corporal on 21 March 1916. Then, transferred to the 185th Bn. in July of 1916, sailing to England on 12 October 1916. Somehow, David soon back in Halifax. Allowing him sometime with his family while serving with the 246th Bn., when granted a commission on 23 November 1916. His conduct to this time having been “Very Good”. Having not served at the front, accordingly, David’s file as a Corporal is relatively short.

Second Attestation

Lieutenant David Neil claimed service with the 94th Regiment when attesting on 14 March 1917 at Truro. At this time, David stated he was qualified as a Lieutenant and Captain. His wife Alice was now living at 258 Maynard Street, Halifax. Once again, he passes his medical exam at Aldershot, NS on 15 June 1917. And, once again, David proceeds overseas, disembarking at Liverpool on 4 July 1917. Later, detached to the Royal Flying Corps on 13 October 1917.

Damaged Airco D.H.2 aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps near Pozieres, France. MIKAN No. 3390149

General Courts Martial

Lieutenant David Neil tried by G.C.M. on 28 November 1917.

…sentenced to take rank & precedence in the army and in his corps as if his appointment as Lieutenant bore date 29 November 1917 and to be severely reprimanded.
General Courts Martial

The confidential proceedings suggest a transgression of a non-military nature. Which if made public, would have been damaging to the reputation of the Royal Flying Corps. However, David has only lost eight months of seniority, which delays his promotion to 2nd Lieutenant.

Second Lieutenant

On 17 September 1918, David made 2nd Lieutenant. Two days before the Armistice, Second Lieutenant David Neil posted to duty with the Royal Air Force (formerly the Royal Flying Corps). Though the war on the Western Front is over, David continues the fight. Along with 5,000 other Canadians of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force during the Siberian Intervention.

Credit Eric Elkington Collection, Ladysmith, British Columbia Canadian officers outside a barrack building, Gornostai, east of Vladivostok, 1919. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Credit Eric Elkington Collection, Ladysmith, British Columbia Canadian officers outside a barrack building, Gornostai, east of Vladivostok, 1919

Siberian Intervention

The inter-Allied force deployed to the town of Shkotovo in April 1919. Two hundred Canadians joined Japanese, Czechoslovak, Italian, French, and Chinese troops to repel a partisan attack. One that threatened the coal supply for Vladivostok and the Trans-Siberian Railroad. When they reached the town, the partisans had retreated and the Canadians recalled to Vladivostok.

The establishment of a Siberian (anti-Bolshevik) Republic in December 1917 (and of other Republics in Siberia a little later) followed by the march of the Czechoslovak Divisions in the Russian service from Poland eastwards, and in particular by the arrival of the 2nd Czechoslovak Division at Vladivostok in May 1918.

Photo, Credit Sidney Rodger Collection, Beamsville, Ontario, A Canadian soldier from A Company 259th Battalion, at Shkotovo, during the inter-Allied campaign against the Red partisans in April 1919. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Photo, Credit Sidney Rodger Collection, Beamsville, Ontario, A Canadian soldier from A Company 259th Battalion, at Shkotovo, during the inter-Allied campaign against the Red partisans in April 1919

The Japanese Government had sent a small detachment to that port in January, 1918. British and Japanese Marines landed on 5 April. A British battalion came in June, and another in December, and in October a stronger Canadian force landed. The autumn fighting in favour of the Allies and Admiral Koltchak’s Government, but the tide turned in 1919.

An official French statement gave the number of troops of nine Allied or Associated nations in Siberia, in March 1919, as nearly 120,000, including 55,000 Czechoslovaks. They gradually withdrew. The British and Japanese left in the winter of 1919. Koltchak finally defeated on the 8 January 1920, at Krasnoyarsk. Finally, the Czechoslovaks and an American hospital evacuated Vladivostok in March 1920.

Siberian Expeditionary Force

The Siberian Expeditionary Force was mainly Canadian, and it included No. 11 Canadian Stationary Hospital and No. 16 Canadian Field Ambulance. The S.E.F. left the graves of 14 Canadian soldiers and 14 from the United Kingdom in Churkin Russian Naval Cemetery. Firstly, those of seven sailors of the Royal Navy, one Marine and one United Kingdom soldier in the Lutheran part of Pokrovskaya Cemetery. In addition, those of ten soldiers from the United Kingdom and three from Canada, buried at sea.

Photo, credit Stephenson Family Collection, Burlington, Ontario, Two Canadian officers. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Photo, credit Stephenson Family Collection, Burlington, Ontario, Two Canadian officers in Churkin Naval Cemetery.

Two Canadian officers stand beside recently prepared graves at the Canadian and British plot in the Marine Cemetery outside of Vladivostok, Russia, 1 June 1919.

Churkin Naval Cemetery

Churkin Naval Cemetery, Vladivostok on the Churkin peninsula and used by British, French, American and Czechoslovak troops. In June of 1919, the Canadian Government erected a central monument in the British plot. In addition, on this, the Vladivostok Memorial, inscribed the names of the 13 Commonwealth soldiers whose graves are in other parts of Siberia, or were buried at sea.

Photo, credit by Benjamin Isitt, Canadian Memorial at the Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Photo, credit by Benjamin Isitt, Canadian Memorial at Churkin Naval Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009

Canadian Armed Forces photograph taken in 1996 of the headstone in the Vladivostok Cemetery that commemorates the Allied casualties of the Siberian Expeditionary Force who are buried in Siberia.

Canada

Grave of David Higgins, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Grave of Bugler David Higgins, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt. Higgins died of pericarditis, complications from pneumonia.

Grave of Joseph Emmett McDonald, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Lance Corporal Joseph Emmett McDonald, Churkin Naval Cemetery, died of pneumonia, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of Romeo Lariviere, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Rifleman Romeo Lariviere, Churkin Naval Cemetery, died of pneumonia, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of Ernest Worthington, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Grave of Ernest Worthington, Churkin Naval Cemetery, died of pneumonia after contracting Influenza, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of William Edward Dodd, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Private William Edward Dodd, Churkin Naval Cemetery, died from complications of toxameia, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of Roy Sothern, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Private Roy Sothern, Churkin Naval Cemetery, died of pneumonia, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of Earl Gillespie, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Grave of Private Earl Gillespie, Churkin Naval Cemetery, died of cerebro spinal meningitis, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of Walter Boston, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Private Walter Boston, Churkin Naval Cemetery, died of endocarditis Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of Alfred Henry Thring, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Lt. Alfred Henry Thring, Churkin Naval Cemetery, self-inflicted gunshot, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of Edwin Stephenson, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Private Edwin Howard Stephenson, Churkin Naval Cemetery, died of small pox, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of William John Henderson, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Constable William John Henderson, died of cerebro spinal meningitis, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of Frederic Eaton Ward, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Private Frederic Eaton Ward, Churkin Naval Cemetery, died of pneumonia and scarlet fever, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

United Kingdom

Grave of H.F.H. Carter, Hampshire Regiment, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — H.F.H. Carter, Hampshire Regiment, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of R. Fellger, Middlesex Regiment, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — R. Fellger, Middlesex Regiment, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of T. Annells, Middlesex Regiment, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — T. Annells, Middlesex Regiment, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of B. Boniface, Middlesex Regiment, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — B. Boniface, Middlesex Regiment, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of W. Wrigley, Middlesex Regiment, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — W. Wrigley, Middlesex Regiment, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of C. Davies, Hampshire Regiment, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — C. Davies, Hampshire Regiment, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of E.K.W. Osoll, British Military Mission, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — E.K.W. Osoll, British Military Mission, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

France

Grave of Pascal Ferrari, French soldier, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Pascal Ferrari, French soldier, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Grave of Emile Breant, French soldier, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Emile Breant, French soldier, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Unmarked grave in Canadian and British plot, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Unmarked grave in Canadian and British plot, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Unmarked grave in Canadian and British plot, possibly of a French soldier, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt — Unmarked grave in Canadian and British plot, possibly of a French soldier, Churkin Naval Cemetery, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

America

Historian Benjamin Isitt at the Canadian Memorial at the Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 October 2009, Photograph by Benjamin Isitt

Photo, credit Stephenson Family Collection, Burlington, Ontario, The Canadian Memorial at the Marine Cemetery in Vladivostok, Russia. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Photo, credit Stephenson Family Collection, Burlington, Ontario, The Canadian Memorial in Vladivostok, Russia.

The Canadian Vladivostok Memorial carved by a Czech-slovak sculptor and dedicated by the Canadian command prior to leaving Russia, 1 June 1919.

Canada’s Siberian Expedition

This Virtual Exhibition and teaching tool offers a rare glimpse into a forgotten moment in Canadian, Russian, and World History, combining engaging interpretive narratives in the English, French and Russian languages with a Digital Archive that preserves 2,200 previously unpublished archival photographs and documents.

Second Lieutenant David Neil Shot Down

Then, on 21 June 1919, in North Russia, Second Lieutenant David Neil and his pilot shot down on a bombing run by ground fire. Crashing into trees which helped save their lives. However, David has a penetrating GSW of his right hand, fractured 5th metacarpal bone, and a small wound in his abdomen. In addition, his pilot burnt and close to death, but survived.

Second Lieutenant David Neil wandered dazed for fours hours, eventually finding himself back at the Russian lines. While at No.53 Stationary Hospital, he tells the doctors he feels shaky and that he has partially lost his nerve to fly.

Credit Eric Elkington Collection, Ladysmith, British Columbia Canadian hospital in Vladivostok, 1919. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Credit Eric Elkington Collection, Ladysmith, British Columbia Canadian hospital in Vladivostok, 1919

On 18 July 1919, David deemed unfit for flying, and as such, is of no further use to the RAF in North Russia. Second Lieutenant David Neil proceeds through a variety of hospitals, before arriving at the RAF Hospital in Eaton Square on 5 August 1919. Eventually, deemed unfit for service for six months, and returned to hospital in Canada on 11 September 1919. Finally, his wife Alice and children now living on South Street in Glace Bay, Cape Breton.

Later Life

The step-great-grand daughter of Second Lieutenant David Neil, Shelly Billard continues the story.

“…eventually David ditched his wife and kids and decided not to come back to Nova Scotia. Alice (Porter) Neil went to find her husband in Scotland and bring him home to Nova Scotia. She found him, and David said he would return, but the truth is he didn’t want the responsibility of his large family, and he didn’t go back. Later, Alice had David Neil declared dead to receive benefits for herself and children, as they were desperate for money. However, my step father Bill (91 years old) always wondered what happened to his grandfather (David Neil) as no one in the family would discuss it as it shamed the family.“
Shelly Billard

Unknown when Second Lieutenant David Neil died. His great-granddaughter Lisa Marie Neil-Capstick believes he may have returned to Scotland after leaving Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.

Epilogue

“David Neil died Sept 18th, 1954 in London England. Within a month his body was returned to Scotland to be buried.“
Shelly Billard, 17 July 2023

Contact CEFRG

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Canadian casualties listed on the Vladivostok Memorial. Second Lieutenant David Neil — Canadian’s listed on the Vladivostok Memorial

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Second Lieutenant David Neil in the Great War