Rupert Ernest Neve - Killed in an aeroplane accident, Peggy Neve, Marjory Edith Neve, and Anthony Holloway

Monument to Rupert Ernest Neve, Peggy Neve, Marjory Edith Neve and Anthony Holloway, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In humble submission to the will of God and in happy memory of Rupert Ernest Neve R.F.C killed in an aeroplane accident jan 26th 1918 aged 24 years - For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord, whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  Rom 14. 8

Also Peggy, daughter of H. H & B Neve died Feb 21st 1915, aged 27 hours.

And Marjory Edith Neve, died July 29th  1947 aged 56 years.

Also Anthony Holloway died March 29th 1948 aged 2 days."

Rupert Ernest Neve and his twin brother Arthur Osmond Neve were born on 15th September 1893 in Maidenhead Berkshire to Alfred Hovenden Neve, a draper and clothier operating from 57-61 High Street Maidenhead, and Emma Hankin Skillman.  Rupert attended Desborough School for Boys in Maidenhead, the school has a private memorial to him in their building.

Rupert first appears on the 1901 Census, aged 7, living with his parents and siblings, including his elder sister Marjory Edith, at 57-61 High Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire. In 1911 Rupert was boarding at 121 Castle Hill, Reading with the Venn family.  His occupation is listed as an ironmonger's apprentice.  On 23rd April 1913 Rupert was involved in a motorcycle accident, the Slough, Eton & Windsor Observer on 26th April 1913 reported:

"A motorcycle and van collide-

About 8:30 Wednesday evening, a horse and van, driven by George Haines, of 17, Grenville [sic] Place, Maidenhead, was proceeding to London, when a motorcycle, ridden by Mr. Rupert Ernest Neve, of High Street, Maidenhead, who was going in the same direction, collided with the rear of the van.  Neve sustained a cut lip and was attended by Dr. Sadler, of Slough.  Mr. William Egleton, of Bray Mills, near Maidenhead, was riding on the carrier of the cycle and received a bruised head and cut fingers."

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Rupert was one of the first groups of young men to volunteer at the outbreak of World War I.  He first enlisted on 15th September 1914 in the Public Schools Battalion of The Royal Fusiliers and was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th King's Shropshire Light Infantry but shortly transferred to the R.F.C (Royal Flying Corps).  Ruperst twin brother served as a Lance Corporal in the Royal Army Medical Corps.  Rupert passed is flying certificate on a Maurice Farman Biplane on 6th July 1916.  During an aerial fight over France sometime in March 1917, Rupert was severely injured but was able to bring his plane back behind British lines. The Reading Mercury reported on 19th May 1917:

"Two Maidenhead officers in hospital in England have visited the town. They were Lieut. Rupert Neve, the Royal t lying Corps (son Mrs. A. Neve), who was badly wounded in an aerial fight in France, and Lieut. John Webber, Royal Sussex Regiment (son the late Mr. J. Webber), who was wounded in France a short time ago. Each is making a good recovery."  

Rupert had only just been reported fit to for active service when on 26th January 1918, his Sopwith Camel B.5235 biplane collapsed midair over Croydon, Surrey due to excessive vibration.

Sopwith Camel B.5235

Peggy Neve was born on 20th February 1915 to Harold Hovenden Neve, Rupert's elder brother and Beatrice Rolfe.  Sadly she was to pass away on 21st February 1915 just 27 hours after her birth.

Marjory Edith Neve, known as Madge, Rupert's elder sister, was born on 29th May 1891 in Maidenhead Berkshire.  She lived and worked at her father's drapery store at 57-61 High Street Maidenhead. Marjory can be found at 57-61 High Street on the 1911 Census, living with her widowed mother Emma, and her two elder brothers, Alfred Edgar now managing the Gentleman's Outfitters shop, and Harold Hovendene now managing the Drapery Shop. On the 1939 Register, Marjory is living at Priesthaus, East Road, Maidenhead, with her elderly mother. She never married and died aged 56 on 29th July 1947.

Marjory Edith Neve

Anthony Holloway was born on 27th March 1948 to Dennis G Holloway, and his wife Margaret Ann Neve, Alfred Edgar Neve's daughter. Sadly, little Anthony was to pass away aged just 2 days old on 29th March 1948.

Neve Bros 57-61 High Street, Maidenhead,
Berkshire