William David Nash
William David Nash was born in 1890 in Hackney, fifth and youngest son of George, a labourer originally from Digswell and his wife Elizabeth from Helidon, Northamptonshire.
William was a professional soldier, having joined up in 1907. During the pre-war years he had seen service in both Egypt and then India, where he was stationed at the outbreak of war. He left from Bombay on the 20th September, arriving in Liverpool on 22nd October. After a month at home, his battalion was sent to France in December 1914
He served with the BEF until May 1915 and after a year back home was sent back to France in August 1916, when he was wounded in the hand.
On 11th April 1918 the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade was rushed up in buses to a position on the La Bassée Canal in order to try and stem the German breakthrough on the Lys and over the next eleven days it was involved in severe fighting in the area around Hinges and Robecq. On 22nd April the Battalion, together with the 1st Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment, took part in an attack which helped to secure the Canal. It was in this attack that Sergeant Nash received the wounds, from which he would die.
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’
All four of William’s brothers served in the war, their story can be seen here
Back to William David Nash
If you able to help with more information about
William David Nash please contact us
