Born on 17 April 1896 in Victoria, Neil MacNeil was educated at Scotch College and Melbourne University. Selected as a Rhodes Scholar in 1914, he attended Oxford University for six months before the outbreak of World War I.
In 1915, MacNeil enlisted at the Officer’s Training College and was commissioned as an Officer in the Highland Infantry. He served in France for two years and as Second Lieutenant in the Battle of Loos performed acts of bravery awarding him the Military Cross. MacNeil was promoted to Captain in 1916 and later became a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps.
At the end of the war, MacNeil returned to Oxford University to study Modern History. Originally studying Theology and Divinity, he turned to education completing a Diploma in Education at London University, then teaching at a school in Gloucestershire.
MacNeil returned to Australia at the beginning of 1924 and became the first Headmaster of Knox Grammar School. MacNeil was described as impressive in appearance, immaculately clothed, taciturn, aloof and stern. He was a man of a black and white world view, and his ideas on education were, for the most part, well ahead of his time.
Leave your mark and continue the legacy by donating memorabilia and photographs to the School. Email archives@knox.nsw.edu.au for more info.
