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Record #15703
Name :
: Donald Wallace MCNEILLE (1911 - )


Father
:
Mother
:
BMD and other details
Date of Birth
: 23 Dec 1911

Marriage (1)
:
Marriage (2)
:

Date of Death
:
Abode (1) : Place of BirthEngland, Rutherglen
Abode (2) : Place of Death / Burial
Sailing Information
Date of Arrival
: 7 Jul 1930
Country
: Canada

Ship
: Westernland

Placement Family
:
Homes / Agencys
Institution (GB)
:

Agency
: Dakeyne Boys Farm
NotesIn 1930, Donald Wallace McNeille, 18, arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in a group of boys from the National Association of Boys' Clubs and en route Falmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Donald W. McNeille
Scottish Immigrant
Westernland

July 15, 1930

My name is Donald W. McNeille, I am 86 years old.

I was born in Rutherglen, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, 23rd Dec., 1911. I went to school in Scotland and England, I applied to come to Canada in the spring of 1930. Was accepted by the N.A.B.C. (National Association of Boys Clubs in Nottingham, England)

Left Southamton on July 8th, 1930 and arrived in Halifax on July 15th at 9:00 A.M. on the S.S. Westernland. Disembarked at the famous Pier 21. Met by a Mr. Roy Grant and put on the train for Windsor N.S. Was met by Mr. Grant and taken to the Dakeyne Farm at Mount Denson who . . . by the N.A.B.C. Went to work 3 days later at the farm of Harold Grant in Riverton, Pictou County. Went to Halifax in fall of 1934 to learn to be a Barber at the school of a Mr. Fozy in Barrington Street. Opened a Barber shop in Brookfield in July 1st 1935. Joined the R.C.N.V.R. Sept. 1939. Served overseas 1942-1944 on the Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Nabob. Discharged 1945.

I worked for the C.N.R. in Truro for 2 years, then went to Newportcorner Naval Radio Station as Heating and Power and Maintenance Engineer in 1948. I retired in 1976 due to Arthritis. I was married in February 1942 in Brookfield, on February 13th, to Marion Veta Doreen Watson. We have 3 boys, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. When I arrived in Halifax on the 15th July 1930
they took my Passport from me and I have not seen it since. In 1970 my wife and I decided to go home to see my folks whom I had only seen twice in 40 years and my brother not since I had left home. On applying for a passport to travel home was asked where my passport when I entered Canada. Told that it was taken from me on landing. Was then told I could not get back into Canada when I returned from my trip because I was here illegally. I told the lady I had been paying taxes for 40 years, served in the services during the war and was not asked how I entered the country at that time. Lucky I had 2 letters of introduction to the Farm given when we left home so I was able to become a Canadian Citizen.

I am very grateful to Canada for what she has done for me although I have spent my 68 years in Nova Scotia. Have to use a wheelchair at times but managed to get about by walking. I do not wish to live in the old country any more as all my roots are here. My Father died in 1971, my brother 1972 and my mother 1994 at the age of 100 years old. Have a few cousins at home now but have not seen them for many years. 
ContributorsCreated : 2011-12-19 11:12:51 / From original database

Last Updated : 2012-01-01 19:13:40 /

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Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  4 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
23305 DUNCAN, Abraham1869SCT,    , Rutherglen Apr 1883 : Prussian CAN Marchmont Homes (now Barnardos)  
3634 LEES, Mary1896SCT,    , Rutherglen Jul 1910 : Southwark CAN Quarriers  
4965 MCCALLUM, Terence1909SCT,    , Rutherglen Aug 1925 : Montnairn CAN Catholic Emigration Association  
15703 MCNEILLE, Donald Wallace1911ENG,    , Rutherglen Jul 1930 : Westernland CAN Dakeyne Boys Farm