John Charles Neal was born in Oakham on 18 June 1893, the son of William Neal and his wife. He enlisted in the 9th Battalion Welsh Regiment at the outbreak of the war, and was drafted to France in December 1914. John was wounded twice, both times in the head and was sent back to England to recover on both occasions. He returned to the Front and was killed by a sniper's bullet at Wytschaete on 7 June 1917. His Commanding Officer wrote to his family:  "He was always cheerful and willing and liked by all. He will be missed very much by his platoon." John was buried in Wytschaete Military Cemetery, grave IV.A.20, and is remembered on Oakham's war memorial.