RootsChat.Com

This July 1, 1915 article from the Winnipeg Tribune is about J.A. McNeil. I am working on a blog article on my Deadly Dave's Blog to unravel the story of these two early racers, that have been merged into one over the last 100 years. Should be out next month.

It looks like "Jock" was used as a nickname for a Scot at the time. If that's the case, there's no telling what his real first and middle name really were. I've run him every way I can think of, without luck. I'm sure he's probably buried somewhere around Atlanta, but I've searched all the internment records I've found, and found nothing. Maybe someone will come across more info.

Hi Nigel,

Did not realize it was you. When I first saw the photo, I posted, I thought the same thing you did. This is a similar photo set up to about six of the Atlanta racers I have seen including Harry Glenn. They all look to have been taken in front of the same section, and may have been taken at the same time. 

Jock's bike was described as a special, with the JAP engine coming in from England. The use of Indian forks, a handmade tank and frame, leads me to believe you're probably right. and this is Jock McNeil from Scotland on his JAP Special. It matches the special description in the Atlanta articles I've seen. Specials were often conglomerations of parts from different companies, like the bikes Maldwyn Jones raced over the years.

I think over the years the two McNeils have been merged into one. Because J.A. lived longer, and worked for several racing teams, he has been given credited for most of the accomplishments of both McNeils.

I went back and checked the Atlanta Constitution Articles on Jock's death in Atlanta. Apparently Jocks brother arrived in Atlanta on the Monday after his death. He had come down to see his brother race, and had not heard of his death. The article says his brother worked for the Indian Motorcycle Company in Springfield, MA. There is no mention in the Constitution of him being buried in Atlanta. I searched the online records for Atlanta Cemeteries, and couldn't find, but I suspect he's buried there.

You are probably also right about J.A. McNeils war injuries. I read that in a Bicycling Magazine article, which solicited readers to write him with well wishes. These articles often over, or under state injuries. I found one the other day, on another famous racer, who received "minor injuries" in a crash, which was actually a skull fracture.

Maybe someday, we will sort out the McNeils stories, but I think we're on the same page.

Sorry to break into your discussion unannounced.

My name is David Morrill and I am a writer and motorcycle racing historian. I found your postings on J.A. Jock McNeil. There were two Jock McNeils racing in the States in the early teens. Jock McNeil from Scotland, and J.A. Jock McNeil from Canada. To make things even more confusing, they both raced English JAP engined racers in 1912-13.

Jock McNeil, from Scotland, was killed in a racing accident at the Atlanta Motordrome board track in 1913.

Canadian J.A. McNeil, rode for Cyclone, after JAP. He then went to work for Excelsior Motorcycles, and developed and rode their OHV 8 valve racing engines. He did serve in World War 1, as a motorcycle dispatch rider. He was injured, and one of his legs was amputated. I believe he returned to Excelsior, as an engineer after the war. Don't think he raced anymore, but I'm not sure. There are several pictures of J.A. Jock McNeil, both as a racer, and team engineer in Stephen Wrights book on the board track racing era American Racer 1900-1400.

The attached photo is the Canadian J.A. Jock McNeil on his JAP racer in 1912. The author of the caption, miss-identified him as the Scot McNeil. This happens quite a bit.

The death of the Scottish Jock McNeil is documented in a story on the Atlanta Motordrome on my Deadly Dave's Blog. This link should take you to the story.

http://dlmracing.blogspot.com/search/label/Atlanta%20Motordrome

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

David L. Morrill
Deadly Dave's Blog http://dlmracing.blogspot.com
Sylacauga, AL. USA.