No soldier photo found.
Rank Private
Service # 54356
Unit # 1st, Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment), 18th Bn.
Resident Chatham
Books Of Rememberance Page Available

Regimental number: 54356 Reference:  RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7271 – 56, Item: 558682, PDF: B7271-SO56.  Date of Birth 22/09/1896 at Gatehouse 9 Fleet, Scotland. N of K: Elizabeth Nelson of Scotland. A single labourer. 1 ½ years in the Territorials in UK. Living in Chatham. Attestation: 30/01/1915 at Chatham, ON. Found on Roll of Honour First Presbyterian Church, Chatham, ON.

Age: 18 yrs. 4 mths., Height: 5’ 4”, Girth; 35 ½ “ Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Black. Medical 30/01/15 at Chatham, ON. Next of Kin: – Mrs. Nelson, Milson Square, Gatehouse, Scotland. Next of Kin: – Elizabeth Nelson. Labourer, Single, Attestation: 30/01/15 18th Bn. date of service: – 14/09/15.

Arrived in England, 29/04/15. Disembarked – France 15/09/15 at Boulogne. to 33rd Bn. at Shorncliffe. AWL docked one day forfeit Pay. 18/09/15 overseas from Folkstone. 

Private Nelson transferred from the 33rd battalion to the 18th shortly after enlistment, arriving in England in May 1915.  He trained at Sandling Camp until Sept. 1915 when he proceeded to France drafted to the 1st battalion.

Oct. 13, 1915, in the trenches, while walking, during supper, he was instantly killed by shrapnel falling across his brother’s dead body.

NELSON, Initials: T, Nationality: Canadian Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment) Unit Text: 18th Bn. KIADate of Death: 13/10/1915 Service No: 54356

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. I. 4. Cemetery: RIDGE WOOD MILITARY CEMETERY, 11.1.4. His brother William (54340 was KIA on the same day as Thomas and both served in the 18th Bn. It appears that their mother Elizabeth also died.

Memorial Cross: Memorial Scroll 7/12/20 and Memorial Plaque 26/07/21.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources FPC-RH, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7271 – 56, LAC, CVWM
Supplemental Information KIA, Date of Death: 13/10/1915 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. I. 4. Cemetery: RIDGE WOOD MILITARY CEMETERY.
Height 5'4"
Eye Colour Brown
Age 18 yrs. 4 mths.
Complexion Dark
Hair Black
Race white
Birthplace 22/09/1896 at Gatehouse 9 Fleet, Scotland
Religion Prebysterian
Last Place of Employment J.B. McKinley, Chatham
Average Earnings 175/yr
Marital Status single
When Enlisted Jan. 1915
Where Enlisted Chatham ON
Next of Kin Elizabeth Nelson of Scotland.

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