Canadian soldier, barrister and humanitarian

E. Neil McKelvey, OC, CD, QC Honourary Lieutenant Colonel was born in Saint John and graduated from Khaki University of Canada in 1946 and Dalhousie University with a LL.B in 1949. 


He was admitted to the Bar of New Brunswick in 1949, and made a Queen's Counsel in 1960. He practised law in Saint John since 1950, and was Counsel to Stewart, McKelvey Stirling Scales. He enlisted in the Saint John High School army cadet corps in 1940, becoming Cadet Lieutenant Colonel. At the same time he was a member of the 2nd/3rd N.B. Coast Brigade, RCA (Non Permanent Active Militia) as a Lance Bombardier.
   
In 1943 he became a member of the Canadian Officers Training Corps at Dalhousie University until joining the Canadian Army (Active Force) in 1944. He served as a Gunner with the 4th anti-tank Regiment, 5th Canadian Armoured Division in Northwest Europe in 1945. In 1945-56 he served as a Trooper with the 2/7 Recce Regiment (17 Dyrch), 2/3 Canadian Infantry Division in Germany. After the war he joined the 3rd Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment, which he served from 1949 to 1958.

He retired with the rank of Captain. Lieutenant Colonel McKelvey was awarded an Honourary DCL from the University of New Brunswick in 1980 and made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1986. He and his wife Joan resided in Saint John. Lieutenant Colonel McKelvey was appointed to be Honourary Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment in 1992. He was active in the Order of St.John.