Colonel Walter Gordon Neilson, CMG, DSO (1 October 1876 – 29 April 1927) was a Scottish rugby football player and Army officer in the Boer War and First World War.
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He was capped once for Scotland in 1894. He also played for Merchistonians RFC.
Early life and education
Neilson was born in Glasgow and educated at Merchiston Castle School. His father was James Neilson, an Ironmaster and second cousin of Walter Montgomerie Neilson and his mother was Jane Thomson, daughter of George Thomson, the famous Glasgow shipbuilder.
He was the brother of George, Robert and Willie Neilson who were also capped for Scotland. In 1891, he made his debut, along with his brother George in the game against Wales — it is the only time that brothers have debuted together for Scotland, with the exception of the joint debut of Gavin and Scott Hastings. One of the four Neilson brothers played in each of the 25 matches between Willie and George's debut in 1891, until 1899, when Robert had to withdraw from the Calcutta Cup line-up after breaking his nose.
His brothers George, William and Robert, all became presidents of the Scottish Rugby Union.
Military service
Neilson chose a career in the military. He joined the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) before being commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as a second lieutenant on 1 December 1897. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 October 1899, and served in the Second Boer War, earning the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1900. From April 1902 he was adjutant of the 1st battalion. For his service in the First World War, he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1916 Birthday Honours.
He later worked at the War Office and then became Colonel-on-the-Staff at Aldershot, where he was killed in a horse riding accident, age 50.