McNeill was born on 18 May 1899. His maternal aunt was the artist Vera Waddington.[1]
Acting Chief Justice Ernest Williams and John McNeill KC (right) on McNeill's admission as a King's Counsel in 1950
John McNeill was educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Oxford where he studied Classics and took an honours degree in Litterae Humaniores (Greats). He also gained a half blue for fencing. During World War I, he signed up to join the army despite not having finished his studies, and in December 1917 he joined the Guards Brigade. In the spring of 1918 he obtained a commission in the Royal Highlanders, Black Watch, and served in France and Germany with the first Battalion.
After demobilisation he returned to Oxford and in 1923 was called to the bar of the Inner Temple and then practised as a barrister in London.[2]
In 1937, he acted as Crown Advocate of the court in the absence of the Crown Advocate, Victor Priestwood. In 1939, Priestwood's appointment as Crown Advocate was terminated. After acting in the position for a few months, McNeil was appointed the Crown Advocate with effect from 1 January 1940.[4]
On 8 December 1941, Japanese troops occupied the court house of the British Supreme Court in Shanghai. McNeill was interned for 5 months before being repatriated to England.[5] His appointment as Crown Advocate was formally terminated in 1942.[6]
McNeill's wife, Amy, and his daughter, Jane, in Shanghai in 1938
McNeill married the former Amy Yvonne Maynard, a concert pianist, daughter of Francis Maynard, in 1927. Their only daughter, Jane (19 December 1929 – 18 April 2011), became a model and in 1953 at the age of 23, married the Earl of Dalkeith who was later to become the Duke of Buccleuch, making her the Duchess of Buccleuch. McNeill gave her away at the wedding which was attended by the Queen.[8]
Retirement
McNeill retired to Scotland in 1960.[9] His wife died in 1977, and he died on 14 March 1982.[10]
