Henry Herbertson McNeill
(2/22/1893-2/20/1976)
Henry Herbertson McNeill was my grandfather, a person who I
remember fondly, a person who used to love to tell me
stories about my dad and the family as I was growing up.
Henry Herbertson McNeill who was knows as Harry, supposedly
was born on 2/22/1893. This
date has not been verified by an independent official document. It is the date
that is reported on his social security application.
There has always been the family story about his lying about his age to join the
navy. I have seen “evidence” that would give his birth date from 1891-1895. The
February 1893 date is further bolstered by the 1900 census, although he always contented
that it was wrong. Because no birth certificate for him has been found, he
needed proof of his birth date to get travel documents from Hawaii,
where he was during most of WWII, the government gave
his a transcription of the 1900 census
which he used as a substitution for a birth certificate.
Henry served in the navy for many years (put dates in here).
This is something he was very proud of. He was buried, with his wife, in Arlington
National Cemetery
in his dress uniform with all his metals. A picture of his head stone can be
seen here. I have his service book that
he carried with him at all times and was signed when ever he joined or left a
ship or base. This was given to me by my Aunt Mary. I also have his service ID bracelet.
This was given to me by my father on my 50th birthday.
For more information
contact:
Steve McNeill
mcneillsr@sc.rr.com
Updated 12/8/2007
