Name
Walter Nash
1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/09/1916
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
R/32
King's Royal Rifle Corps
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hemel Hempstead memorials, Cyprus Street Memorial Plaque, Bethnal Green
Pre War
Walter Nash was born in Bethnal Green, Middlesex in 1881, the son of William and Elizabeth Nash and one of eight children.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at 32 Hartley Street, Bethnal Green where his father was working as a Leather Cutter. By 1901 Walter had moved out of the family home and was living on his own at 50 Felix Street, Bethnal Green and working as a cabinet maker. A week later, on 7 April 1901, he was married to May Eliza York at St Jude Bethnal Green. They had two children, Walter Henry on 18 September 1901 and Ada May on 1 March 1907.
They remained in Bethnal Green on the 1911 census and were living at 61 Cyprus St, where he carried on his occupation as a cabinet marker and his wife's occupation was given as boot fitter.
At the time of enlistment he gave his home address as 6 Flint Cottages, Durrants Hill, Hemel Hempstead and his occupation as furniture fitter.
On pension records his widow's address was given as 61 Cyprus Street, Old Ford Road, London E2, but her address on CWGC records give the Hemel Hempstead address.
Wartime Service
Walter enlisted immediately on the outbreak of war on 21 August 1914 and was posted on 6 September to the 10th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. He was absent without a pass on three occasions in February, May and July 1915, but was sent to France on 21 July 1915.
He suffered from influenza on 13 May 1916 and was repatriated to England, returning via Boulogne on 2 July 1916, being posted as a Rifleman on 13 July 1918 to the 2nd Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
He was declared missing on 9 September 1916 during the Attack of Wood Lane (Battle of the Somme) which was later confirmed as killed in action, aged 35. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His widow May received a war gratuity of £8 10s and pay owing of £15 12s. N.B. pension cards exist but do not show an amount of pension received by his widow.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
