He arrived in Australia on the 15th February 1912 from the F.F. Geelong at the port of Melbourne. He was unmarried with no children at the time of his arrival.
Neils was naturalized on the 2nd July 1915 and is recorded as a labourer at that time. He swore an oath of allegiance on the 10th June 1915.
Neils enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 16 July 1915 to join the Field Artillery Brigade (service number 1848). He embarked for England on the 18th June 1918. He proceeded to France on the 24th November 1916 (6 days after the end of the Battle of the Somme).
Neils was unwell (appears to be a casualty suffering haematuria) and discharged from Weymouth Fovant Hospital on the 23rd August 1918. He was discharged from service as medically unfit in 1919. He earned the British War Medal and the Victoria Medal in 1919.
His addressed was later (10th February 1921) was recorded at 21 Moreland Road, Brunswick, Vic. Then, on the 6st December 1924 he lived at 12 Robert St. Northcote.
References:
