Biography

Neil Gill (1916 - 1942)
Neil and his twin sister Elizabeth, were born on 26^th January 1916. Youngest son of James Stewart Gill and Jessie Stewart, formerly Gourlay, Neil was born when the family was living at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. He was educated at the Charles Street Primary School and the State High School, Launceston. He was employed at the Commercial Printing Department of The Examiner newspaper.

The Gill family were all members of St. John's Church and Neil was a member of the choir for several years. He played tennis and badminton for the church teams and a member of the Communicants Guild of St. John's Church.

When World War II began, he joined the R.A.A.F. and trained at Point Cook. He became an air-observer and wireless-operator, and was eventually posted to serve in Singapore. In 1942, his plane was shot down over the east coast of Malaya and he was killed on the day of his twenty-sixth birthday. He was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal, having reached the rank of sergeant.

In his memory the family gave to St. John's a plaque of opus sectile mosaic which was erected in the Baptistry. The inscription reads:
A.M.D.G.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
NEIL STEWART GILL R.A.A.F.
AGED 26 YEARS
KILLED IN ACTION OVER MALAYA
26TH JANUARY 1942
FOR MANY YEARS A CHOIR MEMBER OF THIS CHURCH.
ERECTED BY HIS PARENTS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS

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