206827 Pte. Lionel Edward "Ginger " Neighbour British Army Cameronians Lionel Neighbour was my father. He joined the Cameronians when he was fifteen years old and served with them for another eighteen years, culminating in his being taken prisoner in the Comines débcale and subsequently spent four years in Poland, returning to Blighty resembling a skeleton. The good news was that my mother was waiting for him, disbelieving that he had been killed in action. Thank you mother and thank you dad.
He always wore his medals with pride, and I am sad to see that he isn't mentioned anywhere. There is no mention of him in anything that I can find to do with the Cameronians. He spoke rarely about his war years. He was a sniper and not particularly proud of what he did, but without blokes like him I would be speaking German. Actually, I do, as did he, but we both spoke the language out of choice.
I just want him remembered. All I have are photos and medals. I am not best pleased that he's been forgotten by everyone else, but here, on Christmas Day 2010 there is a place for him at the family table right next to my mother's. They aren't here any more of course, but he's here right now with me.
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