Derek Neill was born in August 1923 to Wilfred and Gwendoline Neill. The Neill family owned James Neill and Co that was based near Ecclesall Road.
Derek was one of four children. The 1939 register shows that Derek Neil was at Repton School, the school his father had attended. His sister, Pauline who was 13years old, was at school in Pershore whilst his younger brother, Guy, was at a preparatory school on Anglesey.

Derek joined the Royal Tank Regiment. In October 1944 the Royal Tank Regiment which was part of the Eighth Army pushing up through the eastern side of Italy. He was killed in action on 26th October 1944, aged 21 years.

He is buried in Cesana Military Cemetery which is about 90 Km south east of Bologna. His headstone is inscribed with “For ever England”

He is recorded on the memorial at Potterhanworth, a village about 12km south east of Lincoln. This the village where Derek’s mother Gwendoline had grown up.