Difference between revisions of "Nelson John Alexander Pte 7264102"
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|Surname and forenames=Nelson John Alexander | |Surname and forenames=Nelson John Alexander | ||
|Army number=7264102 | |Army number=7264102 | ||
| − | |Rank= | + | |Rank=Private. |
| − | |Decorations= | + | |Decorations=Military Medal together with Service Awards. |
| − | + | |Unit=Served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Enlisted in The Durham Light Infantry 18/5/1939 and posted to the ? 9th Battalion DLI. Posted to the ? 12th Battalion DLI 1/9/1939. Transferred to the Black Watch 1/2/1940, and posted to the 1st Tyneside Scottish. Served in Northern France with the B.E.F. Evacuated to the UK. Transferred to the Army Air Corps 10/10/42, Auth:- Records, Perth P/1671/4B/42 dated 6/10/42. No trace of this transfer could be found in the records of the Glider Pilot Regiment. | |
| − | |Unit=Royal Army Medical Corps, Durham Light Infantry 18/5/1939 | + | |Date of birth=Not yet known. |
| − | |Joined Brigade=Probably 1/9/1939 via 12th | + | |Age=(At the time of his death). Not yet known. |
| − | |Home address=Little Bittaford, Ugborough Nr Ivybridge, Devon | + | |Company/Battery=HQ Company. |
| + | |Platoon or other sub-unit=Not yet known. | ||
| + | |Task or role=Not known but probably Rifleman. | ||
| + | |Promotions=None known. | ||
| + | |Wounded=Not yet known. | ||
| + | |Died/Killed in action=Date of death not yet known. | ||
| + | |Joined Brigade=Probably 1/9/1939 via 12th Battalion DLI. | ||
| + | |Home address=Little Bittaford, Ugborough Nr Ivybridge, Devon. | ||
|Source table=1TS | |Source table=1TS | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | + | Private Nelson could not be traced in RAMC records so it is not clear whether he transferred to the DLI, was recalled from the Reserve or re-enlisted in the TA. His Military Medal citation, gazetted in the London Gazette of 11 July 1940 and the Edinburgh Gazette of 17 July 1940, while he was a member of 1st Tyneside Scottish, reads as follows:- | |
| + | |||
| + | "For courage and devotion to duty in the period of six days from 20th May to 28th May 1940 during which he attended to wounded at MONCHY, BOULOGNE and CALAIS. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Although not a Medical Orderly he utilised knowledge gained in civilian life and cared for, and helped to evacuate, over 100 wounded. | ||
| + | |||
| + | On 25th May, while at CALAIS, he volunteered to assist in bringing in six wounded who were in the open under heavy shell fire. His disregard for his own safety undoubtedly saved their lives. | ||
| + | |||
| + | I have investigated and verified the above facts. Signed, Brigadier Kirkup, Commander 70th Infantry Brigade". | ||
| + | |||
| + | Given that John Nelson had at one time served in the RAMC - and was issued an RAMC Number, it is a little surprising that the citation makes no reference to this - unless he was in the TA and that was equated to "knowledge gained in civilian life". | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Archivist of the Glider Pilot Regiment did find a trace of a J Nelson in their records, but the details above were not a match. More information on this man's Service Record would be most welcome. | ||
Latest revision as of 10:22, 10 March 2022
Personnel Entry
Name Nelson John Alexander
Army number 7264102
Rank Private.
Decorations Military Medal together with Service Awards.
Date of birth Not yet known.
Age (At the time of his death). Not yet known.
Unit Served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Enlisted in The Durham Light Infantry 18/5/1939 and posted to the ? 9th Battalion DLI. Posted to the ? 12th Battalion DLI 1/9/1939. Transferred to the Black Watch 1/2/1940, and posted to the 1st Tyneside Scottish. Served in Northern France with the B.E.F. Evacuated to the UK. Transferred to the Army Air Corps 10/10/42, Auth:- Records, Perth P/1671/4B/42 dated 6/10/42. No trace of this transfer could be found in the records of the Glider Pilot Regiment.
Company/Battery HQ Company.
Platoon or other sub-unit Not yet known.
Task or role Not known but probably Rifleman.
Joined Brigade Probably 1/9/1939 via 12th Battalion DLI.
Promotions None known.
Wounded Not yet known.
Prisoner of War
Died/Killed in action Date of death not yet known.
Home address Little Bittaford, Ugborough Nr Ivybridge, Devon.
Source table 1TS
Private Nelson could not be traced in RAMC records so it is not clear whether he transferred to the DLI, was recalled from the Reserve or re-enlisted in the TA. His Military Medal citation, gazetted in the London Gazette of 11 July 1940 and the Edinburgh Gazette of 17 July 1940, while he was a member of 1st Tyneside Scottish, reads as follows:-
"For courage and devotion to duty in the period of six days from 20th May to 28th May 1940 during which he attended to wounded at MONCHY, BOULOGNE and CALAIS.
Although not a Medical Orderly he utilised knowledge gained in civilian life and cared for, and helped to evacuate, over 100 wounded.
On 25th May, while at CALAIS, he volunteered to assist in bringing in six wounded who were in the open under heavy shell fire. His disregard for his own safety undoubtedly saved their lives.
I have investigated and verified the above facts. Signed, Brigadier Kirkup, Commander 70th Infantry Brigade".
Given that John Nelson had at one time served in the RAMC - and was issued an RAMC Number, it is a little surprising that the citation makes no reference to this - unless he was in the TA and that was equated to "knowledge gained in civilian life".
The Archivist of the Glider Pilot Regiment did find a trace of a J Nelson in their records, but the details above were not a match. More information on this man's Service Record would be most welcome.
