A born soldier, he entered the army in 1850 and served all through the Indian Mutiny. In 1861, he came to NZ and fought in the NZ Wars against the Maori.
During the Waikato Wars (New Zealand), as a Lt.-Colonel, he saved the life of one of his men (30 Mar 1864), when they were attacked by Maori. For this action he was awarded a Victoria Cross. He served in the 107th Regiment.
He then went on to serve in Egypt, and In later life, was equerry to Queen Victoria.
In 1870, John McNeill, brother of Duncan McNeill, became the 2nd Lord Strathcona when he purchased Colonsay & Oronsay.
In 1877, John Carstairs McNeill, nephew of John McNeill, became the 3rd Lord Strathcona when he purchased Colonsay & Oronsay. He never married.
When he died he held the title of Sir John C. McNeill, VC, GCVO, KCB, KCMG.
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Featured National Park champion connections: John is 8 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 16 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 16 degrees from George Catlin, 18 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 24 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 15 degrees from George Grinnell, 20 degrees from Anton Kröller, 17 degrees from Stephen Mather, 18 degrees from Kara McKean, 20 degrees from John Muir, 7 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 24 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
M > McNeill > John Carstairs McNeill VC GCVO
Categories: Anglo-Ashanti Wars | Mahdist War | Invasion of Waikato | Indian Mutiny Medal | Victoria Cross | Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order | Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George | Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath | New Zealand Wars | 107th Regiment of Foot