He was also a senior soldier and military engineer who served in both the First and Second World Wars, and is notable for his involvement in the Battle of Timor and during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies.

While under continuous shell fire, Veale attended to all of their wounds, got them to safety and then successfully marked out the assembly position.

The citation for the medal, appearing in The London Gazette in February 1919, reads as follows: During operations on the Somme on the night of the 28th/29th September, 1918, bridges were required to cross the canal between Eterpigny and Peronne.

In spite of the darkness and persistent desultory shell fire, he reconnoitred the banks for suitable sites, and then proceeded with the dangerous work of transporting materials.

[2][6]After a period working at Stoke-on-Trent and the Ministry of Transport in London, Veale returned to Victoria, serving as engineer to the Shire of Kowree Council at Edenhope.