Dedication to: Mac McNeill 1941/42
It is with sadness and deep regret of the passing of,
Mac McNeill – Indefatigable 1941/42
Died on 18th October 2014
Our sincere regards and condolences goes to Mac’s wife Lille and family.
Ian Parr 74/75 presented Mac with his 2014 reunion / 150th anniversary first prize at home on June 20th. Ian went on to say, ‘Mac received his raffle prize with great pride, though not in the best of health Mac made us very welcome and shared his warm humour.’
Mac’s memories of the old school and the association were truly Indefatigable, Mac was one of our founding members and a great friend of many Indefatigable Old Boys.
Mac sums up the IOBA, in his own words; Watch Mac McNeill 1941/42: (within 9:49 – 10:33) at the 2013 IOBA 30th reunion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXF8AEAQRwQ The 30th Indefatigable Old Boys Annual Reunion 360pVictory at last: Medal honour for hero sailor
Mac’ completed two treacherous trips across the Arctic Ocean guarding convey ships taking vital supplies to the Russian Eastern Front during the Second World War.
The Arctic Convoys – trips Sir Winston Churchill called ‘the worst routes in the world’ the lives of more than 3,000 Royal Navy personnel and merchant seamen between 1941 and 1945. Mac, completed two convoy missions in 1944 on board aircraft carrier HMS Furious and on the battleship HMS Rodney.
Mac’s route took him from Loch Ewe in Scotland to Murmansk in Russia – through fields of German U-boats and planes flying overhead. It took about eight or nine days to get there, then the same time to get back again” .
“We had to zig-zag to be safer. Speaking as a kid of 17 by that time it was exciting, but it was frightening. You did not know what you were getting into until you were there.”
Campaigners fought a long battle for recognition and Prime Minister David Cameron announced the Arctic Star Medal in December 2012.
Born in Salford and he joined the Royal Navy aged 15 after leaving the Indefatigable, said: “It has been a long wait, but it is worth the wait. It is a great honour and I pay tribute to those who lost their lives.” He was a great-grandfather of eight and was proud of being recognised for his service – Mac paid tribute to the many sailors who are not here to be honoured in person.
Arctic Convoy veteran dies days after being honoured in hospital bed for wartime bravery
Mac McNeill passed away less than a week after being presented with the Ushakov medal by Russian officials in a private ceremony.
Mac died on Saturday 18th October 2014 aged 88.
Arctic Convoy veteran died five days after being decorated in his hospital bed for death-defying missions to protect vital supplies during World War Two.
His Ushakov medal marked 69 years since the war ended, after British defence chiefs agreed to honour the thousands who risked their lives in freezing Arctic convoys.
The new Arctic Star medal was introduced last year, and the ceremony at Manchester Town Hall marked the moment veterans were officially allowed to take medals from Russia.
All donations to the funeral directors: S Wellens 121 Long Street, Middleton Manchester M24 6DL so that can be sent in one lump sum with Mac’s name on it: Help for Heroes
13/11/2014: 150 turn out for funeral of Arctic Convoy hero Mac.
Mac coffin is carried into church. Mac with his wife Lille.
IOBA Memebers present: Indefatigable Standard Bearer: Marc Hardman 1961, Tom Keyes 63/64, Tony Eastham 75/76, Millie Evans (Derek Evans. 41/42), Steve Owen 78/79 & Steve Humphries 75/76.
With great sadness – RIP Mac. Steve Humphries 75/76.150th Celebration VIDEO & STILL images
The Indefatigable 150th Celebration VIDEO
click on link above
Film footage from the weekend’s special celebrations in Anglesey.
http://www.liverpoolshipsandsailors.com/2014/06/18/the-indefatigable-150th-celebration/
Our sincere thanks goes to Tim Brunsden for making this film <info@light-factory.co.uk>
Our sincere thanks goes to the Photographer Joe Pegler for taking the still images www.josephpegler.com
Joe Pegler’s 150th images
https://www.flickr.com/photos/indeoba/sets/72157645402528045/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/indeoba/
Indefatigable 150th
https://www.flickr.com/photos/indeoba/sets/72157632683406886/
Film footage from the weekend’s special celebrations in Anglesey.
http://indeoba.c4242423.myzen.co.uk/?p=1563
http://www.liverpoolshipsandsailors.com/2014/06/18/the-indefatigable-150th-celebration/
Indefatigable Still Photos (2063 in total to date).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/indeoba/sets/
Indefatigable Old Boys Association (IOBA): Secretary & Archives
150th Prizes
Indefatigable 2014 reunion
The Indefatigable old boys association 2014 reunion and 150th anniversary of TS Indefatigable celebration took place on 14th June.
Three specially designed and engraved pieces by Ian Parr 74/75 were offered as raffle prizes in the 2014 reunion draw.
You are invited to enter the 2015 draw without the need to attend the reunion by purchasing tickets without restriction of any amount, you may also wish to buy tickets for another member, this will be possible and will be treated in confidence.
2014 First prize (below): Won by Mac McNeil 1941/42
Comport engraved with 150 years of Indefatigable history
Click on the below link to see the progress;
2014 Second prize (below): Won by Simon Pegler 1978/80
Charger depicting the school at Llanfair pg
2014 Third prize (below): Won by Mark Chatham 1965/66
Charger celebrating 150 years
Please note that the combined value of these three items once engraved and presented as prizes exceeded £500.00
buy your tickets here for the 2015 reunion
RAFFLE NUMBERS WILL BE ISSUED TO YOU FOLLOWING PURCHASE
Total Raffle ticket sales RAISED for 2014:
£1400.00
Indefatigable Old Boys Association (IOBA): Secretary & Archives
T.S. ATHERSTONE MSSC – Win the EIGHTH Indefatigable Trophy.
INDEFATIGABLE CUP WINNERS for 2013;
T.S. ATHERSTONE SCC – Win the EIGHTH Indefatigable Trophy.
Indefatigable Old Boys, are invited to attend the following event and ceremony;
Venue: Masonic Hall, Peake Avenue, Kirby Cross, Essex, CO13 0SQ
Date: Friday 30th May 2014
Time: Arrive at 1900 to carry out formal parade and Inspection. till approx. 22:00
Dress Code: Mess Uniform
Includes: Welcome drink, carvery style dinner, raffle, Auction of Promises and some presentations.
It gives us the greatest pleasure to congratulate T.S. ATHERSTONE Clacton On Sea SCC, on being awarded the Indefatigable Cup. The Unit made sustained progress throughout last year, with an effective training programme and the taking part of District and Area events. This has required huge effort and commitment and they thoroughly deserve the award.
The Sea Cadet unit was awarded a Burgee by the Captain of the Sea Cadet Corps ‘Captain Jon Holloway RN’, at a special presentation ceremony at the unit premises in Clacton On Sea. The Burgee is the highest award that can be awarded to a Sea Cadet Corps Unit in recognition of the hard work of the Volunteers, Cadets and UMC.
Bill O’Leary 74/76 (IOBA Chairman) will be travelling to the Unit to make this very special presentation to the Commanding Officer of T.S. ATHERSTONE, along with a monetary cheque in person on behalf of the IOBA.
The trophy, once the ‘Merseyside Navy League – Swimming Gala Trophy’, is so valuable it has to remain at the SCC HQ other than for the presentation, the winning unit will receive a shield to keep.
https://www.facebook.com/
Clacton Sea Cadets: Windsor Avenue, Clacton On Sea, Essex, CO15 2AH
For SCC Unit HEAD-COUNT: Please indicate to me (Steve Humphries) if any of you wish to attend this event <steve_c_humphries@btinternet.com>
