David Nelson
Sergeant, L Battery Royal Horse Artillery
- Register No.
- 919 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- L Battery Royal Horse Artillery all Royal Horse Artillery VCs →
- Date of action
- 1 September 1914 on this day → all of 1914 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 16th November 1914 on this day → all of 1914 →
- Born
- 3rd April 1876 at Deraghland, Stradnnoden, County Monaghan,
- Memorial / grave
- at Lillers Communal Cemetery, France
Digest of citation
On the 1st September 1914, at Nery, France, L Battery, after distinguishing itself covering the retreat, unexpectedly came under fire from a far superior enemy force. The fire was so destructive that it left only one gun in action. This gun continued firing by Sergeant-Major Dorrell, Sergeant NELSON, Gunner H Derbyshire and Driver Osborne, until all ammunition was expended. At this time all the officers and men of the battery had either been killed or wounded. The Queen's Bays and I Battery came to their rescue
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
NELSON, David. (reg No. 919).
Sergeant. L Battery Royal Horse Artillery.
London Gazetted on 16th November 1914.
Born on 3rd April 1876 at Deraghland, Stradnnoden, County Monaghan, Ireland.
Died of his wounds, received in action, on the 8th April 1918 at 58th Casualty Clearing Station, Lillers, France.
Memorial on grave at Lillers Communal Cemetery, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On the 1st September 1914, at Nery, France, L Battery, after distinguishing itself covering the retreat, unexpectedly came under fire from a far superior enemy force. The fire was so destructive that it left only one gun in action. This gun continued firing by Sergeant-Major Dorrell, Sergeant NELSON, Gunner H Derbyshire and Driver Osborne, until all ammunition was expended. At this time all the officers and men of the battery had either been killed or wounded. The Queen's Bays and I Battery came to their rescue.
Additional information:. Sergeant-Major and Sergeant NELSON were awarded the Victoria Cross as was Captain BRADBURY, who was killed in the action, received it posthumously. Gunner Derbyshire and Driver Osborne received the French Médaille Militaire. Major NELSON died of his wounds five days after his 42nd birthday..
Additional information
Sergeant-Major and Sergeant NELSON were awarded the Victoria Cross as was Captain BRADBURY, who was killed in the action, received it posthumously. Gunner Derbyshire and Driver Osborne received the French Médaille Militaire. Major NELSON died of his wounds five days after his 42nd birthday..
Ireland.
Died of his wounds, received in action, on the 8th April 1918
at 58th Casualty Clearing Station, Lillers, France.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Lillers Communal Cemetery, France
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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