Colin Neal was born in Chichester, Sussex. on 3 May 1942, the son of William Victor Neal and Hilda Queenie Neal (née Mitchell). After leaving school he joined the Royal Navy and trained as an Engineering Mechanic and later qualified as a Mechanician 1st Class. He was married to Miss Mary E Barnett in Chichester in the 3rd Quarter of 1963.

By May 1975, he was a Mechanician 1st Class serving in HMS ORPHEUS. Colin Neal of 47, The Greendale, Fareham, Hampshire, is reported to have died on 9 May 1975 and his death was recorded in the Plymouth Registration District. The circumstances of his death are not yet established.