Soldier and painter, from a military family, educated at Harrow School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, where he won both the Sword of Honour and King’s Medal. He joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers and served with his regiment and on General Sir Archie Wavell’s staff in New Delhi from 1936–43. Returning to Europe, Nevill commanded the 2nd Battalion The Devonshire Regiment in 231 Brigade of the 50th Northumbrian Division during the 1944 D-Day Normandy landing, proved a gallant and inspiring leader and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. A series of further appointments included chief instructor at the School of Infantry, Warminster, and, from 1956, general officer commanding 2nd Infantry Division in Germany. A heart attack when he was about to become director of infantry in London forced Major-General Nevill’s premature retirement.