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Blantyre Folk

Joseph McNeil

1942

THE LATE MR JOSEPH McNEIL:-- The death took place last week-end of Mr Joseph McNeil, who had carried on business in Blantyre since 1924, as a wine and spirit merchant.

He took over the old established business of the late Mr William Downie at High Blantyre Cross, but when the property there was demolished Mr McNeil was granted a transfer to premises situated at the junction of the Glasgow and Bardykes Roads, in the extreme west-end of the parish.

Mr McNeil was born on Barra, one of the many islands in the Outer Hebrides . When seventeen years of age he set out for Glasgow and his craving for the sea was gratified when he joined a merchant steamer.

For the next few years he travelled round the world and could describe interestingly every place which he had visited. During the last war, as a chief officer, he was placed in charge of an armed trawler, and in this capacity he took part in many engagements. He gained his captains certificate in 1920, and being put in charge of a cargo steamer he again traversed the seven seas.

A serious injury to his hand compelled him to retire from the sea in 1924, and he then took over the business at High Blantyre . His remains were flown from Renfrew last Sunday to his homeland in his native Barra, and Mrs McNeil and one of her sons, who was granted leave from the army travelled in the plane.

Ref. Hamilton Advertiser. 27/8/1941. Page 5.  

 Wilma Bolton. 2005.

 

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