Neil was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1895 to Edward Lyle Simpson and Eliza Minns.

Neil was an engineer and gave his address as Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF, Australian Flying Corps, No. 4 Squadron on the 23^rd of October 1916, aged 21. He embarked aboard the RMS Omrah in January 1917 and disembarked at Plymouth, England.

4^th Squadron, Australian Flying Corps (AFC) was designated the 71^st Australian Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (RFC) when they arrived in England in late March 1917 and sent for training to Castle Bromwich, near Birmingham. In June he was attached for duty with the 68^th Australian Squadron, RFC (formerly 2^nd Squadron, AFC) where he underwent further training before he proceeded overseas to France. In January 1918 the Australian Squadrons in the RFC reverted to their Australian names - the 68^th RFC became the 2^nd AFC, the 71^st RFC became the 4^th AFC. Neil was admitted to hospital in August suffering from a Disordered Action of the Heart⁽¹⁾ and rejoined his unit in October. In late November Neil transferred from the 4^th to the 3^rd Squadron, AFC. Neil was granted two weeks leave in England in January 1919 before returning to England in March and embarking for home aboard the Kaiser-i-hind in May, returning to Australia in mid June and was discharged from the AIF in late July.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Holy Trinity Church Roll of Honour.

Notes

1. Disordered Action of the Heart more info