Name
William David Nash
1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/04/1918
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
2331
Rifle Brigade
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY
VI.A.29
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Welwyn Village Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Roll of Honour, Welwyn
Pre War
William David Nash was born in Lamb Lane, Hackney in 1890, the son of George and Elizabeth Nash and one of five children. His father George was originally from Digswell, Welwyn and had married Elizabeth Cole in Welwyn in 1882.
On the 1891 Census, the family were living in Tower Street, Hackney, London and had moved to New Street, Codicote in 1901 where his father was working as a General Labourer. They were living in St Albans Road, Codicote when William enlisted into the army on 26 September 1907, serving as Private 2331 in the Royal Rifle Corps. William was then working as a farm labourer and had served with the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment (volunteer force). He saw service in Egypt and India.
Wartime Service
William was stationed in India at the outbreak of war. He left Bombay on the 20 September, arriving in Liverpool on 22 October. After a month at home, his battalion was sent to France in December 1914.
He was there until May 1915 and, after a year back on Home Service, returned to France in August 1916, when he was wounded in the hand but recovered and returned to the Front. He was appointed as Acting Corporal in July 1915 and promoted to paid Acting Sergeant in July 1916.
On 11 April 1918 the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade was rushed up in buses to the La Bassée Canal to try and stem the German breakthrough on the Lys and, over the next eleven days, was involved in severe fighting around Hinges and Robecq. On 22 April the Battalion, took part in an attack which helped to secure the Canal. William died on 24 April 1918 at the 12th Field Ambulance, France, from wounds received during this attack.
His company chaplain wrote: ‘Serg. W. D. Nash was wounded during a determined battle for possession of a wood near the bank of the La Bassée Canal on April 22nd. He was carried back to the field dressing station. Everything possible under the circumstances was done for him there but he died the same day. He was buried in a soldier’s cemetery at Chocques. A wooden cross was erected by his company who miss him very much. He was a good soldier and a thoughtful sergeant. Writing on behalf of all the officers and men who knew him I would express our sincere sympathy with you and others who mourn his death’.
He is buried in Choques Military Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His brother George William was killed in April 1917 at Arras. Brothers Frank, Albert and Harry served in the war but survived. See www.welwynww1.co.uk for more information.
His sister in law Martha Nash (brother Frank's wife) received a war gratuity of £24 10s and pay owing of £17 3s 6d.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Paul Jiggens, Welwyn and District History Society - www.welwynww1.co.uk, Brenda Palmer
