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Lieutenant Maurice Alfred Bourke NELIGAN
12th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry Date of birth: 3rd April 1896 Date of death: 13th October 1915 Killed in action aged 19 Buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery Plot VI Row I Grave 22
Maurice Alfred Bourke Neligan was born at Masterman House, Middleton, County Durham on the 3rd of April 1896 the elder son of Dr James Charles Neligan MD and Kate Emily (nee Williams) Neligan of Masterman House, 11 Masterman Place, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Darlington. He was christened at Middleton-in-Teesdale on the 21st of May 1896. He was educated at Lancing College where he was in Olds House from September 1910 to April 1914. He was a Sergeant in the Officer Training Corps, a House Captain in 1913 and a member of the Football XI from 1912 to 1914. Following the outbreak of war he applied for a commission in the Durham Light Infantry on the 22nd of August 1914, in an application which was supported by the Reverend Bowlby, Headmaster of Lancing College. At a medical examination, which was held at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on the 24th of August it was recorded that he was five feet ten inches tall and that he weighed 133lbs. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry on the 17th of September 1914 and was posted to the 12th Battalion of his regiment. He landed in France at Boulogne with his battalion in the early hours of the 26th of August 1915 from where they entrained and entered billets at Houle. They were in training until September 6th when they marched to Hazebrouck. On the 25th of September, the opening day of the Battle of Loos, the battalion stood to arms but took no part in the fighting. On the 2nd of October they left the village of Estaires where they had been billeted and took over trenches at Bois Grenier in the evening. This was a quiet part of the line although patrols were sent out to reconnoitre the German lines. On the night of the 13th of October 1915 Maurice Neligan led a patrol of four other men out into no man's land to cut barbed wire. During the patrol their presence was discovered and a fire fight broke out with the Germans during which he went missing. His father received the following telegram: - "Regret to inform you that Lt. M.A.B. Neligan is reported missing believed wounded Oct 13th." Captain Day wrote from France October 14th 1915:- "I have the sorrowful duty of reporting to you that your boy is missing and believed to be a prisoner in the hands of the Germans. Two nights ago he went out in charge of a patrol, which succeeded in getting quite close to the German barbed wire. Unfortunately the patrol was discovered, heavy fire was opened upon them and bombs were thrown. Maurice threw a bomb in reply, but the Germans were swarming out along a side trench, and cut off the retreat of the patrol. Three of the five men out managed to get back; your boy and Private Wilson, the bomber, did not. Of the three who returned, two had been left as a covering party, twenty yards or so behind Maurice, and in a ditch. These men fired on the advancing Germans, and did not leave until Maurice and Wilson surrendered. I fear it is possible that one or both of the captured men may be wounded, but we hope that they are now being safely nursed behind the German lines. Maurice has done wonderfully well. He was one of our most popular officers, both with his men and with his fellow officers. He had made quite a reputation for himself in patrol work, and was a gallant leader in these dangerous enterprises. I went out in the early morning mist to see if I could learn anything more, but could not find anything, and had to return when the mist was clearing before the sun." A statement was taken from Company Quartermaster Sergeant W.J. Brown at Boulogne on the 18th of November 1915 while he was on leave: - "This officer went out with three men to cut barbed wire one night and took two bombers with him. One of the men returned saying that the machine gun was turned on them and bombs were thrown, and that he had told Lt. Neligan not to go on. This man was an old soldier and had been through the South African War and knew what he was talking about. His name was Private Lockey. Private Wilson remained with Lt. Neligan. Private Wilson was 6ft 3ins, a splendid looking man. No one knew what became of this man and Lt. Neligan, though a party went out to try and find them. All they found was a sleeping cap of Lt. Neligans. Since this happened there is a report that Wilson has written to someone in his company, saying he was a prisoner in Germany, but he made no mention of the officer. This happened at Bois Grenier when we were in Trench 55, and the time was about a month ago, but I do not know the exact date. Lt. Neligan was a very brave young officer, perhaps a little too daring." Colonel Elwes wrote from France on the 16th of October 1915:- "You will by now have been communicated with regarding your son; and I asked his Captain to write to you and say everything he knew about the actual events which led to his becoming reported missing, and probably wounded, on patrol work. I have personally interviewed the three men of the patrol who succeeded in getting back; but it is impossible to state with certainty what actually did take place, owing to the darkness, and to the fact that the man in closest proximity is also missing. Captain Day's account, which I have read, appears to give a fair description as far as was are able to judge, and I see no reason for not having every hope that we shall see him again someday. I can now only say how much I sympathise with you in your anxiety, also that I never met a boy who so easily gained the affection of everyone with whom he came into contact, or a more plucky young officer. I miss him enormously on account of his great value to us, and for the real affection I had formed for him." The Brigade Chaplain, the Reverend J Nelson Blakiston wrote:- "Let me add a word of sincerest sympathy. The anxiety you are in concerning your son's safety must be intense, and I only hope and pray that he is all right. I have been Chaplain to the Brigade for over a year, and I knew your boy to talk to quite well. In case he did not tell you I thought this fact might be of interest to you; on the Sunday before he was taken we had a celebration of the Holy Communion immediately after an open air parade service. The service was held in a room of a farmhouse, and your son came and made his communion with several of his brother officers. I have been chatting with men of his regiment this afternoon, and they all speak so highly of him. Our Sergeant said that they considered him to be the best of all the young officers as a soldier, and that there was not a man who would not have followed him. May God bless you in your trouble and keep your son safe." He was officially declared as dead on the 24th of January 1917. Private 25561 George Wilson was not captured that night but was killed alongside Maurice Neligan. The two men are buried side by side in the same cemetery. His medals are displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum at Aykley Heads, Durham. His younger brother, Lieutenant Geoffrey Hook Neligan 1st Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was killed in action on the 8th of November 1918.

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