William Nash
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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William Nash was born in Arnold in 1880, the son of Joseph and Sarah Nash (née Dickinson). His father Joseph was born in London in 1852 and his mother Sarah Dickinson was born in Arnold in 1854. Joseph and Sarah were married at Arnold St Mary in April 1875 and according to the 1911 Census had seven children one of whom died in infancy. Seven children, including Frederick who died young, have been traced from birth registrations (Nash/Dickinson) and census returns: Sarah Jane b. 1875, Kate b. 1878, William b. 1880, James b. 1885, Thomas (Tommy) b. 1889, Frederick b. 1890 d. 1891 and Ethel b. 1895. Sarah Jane has not yet been traced on the 1881 or subsequent census and Ethel was probably recorded as 'Matilda' on the 1891 Census (no other records for this child). Joseph and Sarah lived in Arnold throughout their married life although in 1891 Sarah was recorded as head of household; her husband has not yet been traced on the 1891 Census. In the 1911 census Joseph, a coal miner hewer, and Sarah, both 57 yrs, were living at Draytons Yard, Arnold, which had been their home since at least 1891. Only two of their six surviving children, Tommy 22 yrs a bus conductor and Ethel 16 yrs a hosiery mender, were still living at home. Thomas died the following year aged 23. William snr. died in 1915 aged 63 and his widow Sarah died in 1918 aged 64. William jnr. married Ellen Budding on 2nd June 1906 at Arnold St Mary. Ellen was born in York in 1881, the daughter of William and Annie Budding. The family was living in Hutton, York, in 1891 but by 1901 William, a farm labourer, his wife and their ten children including Ellen (19), a hosiery winder, were living in Saunders Yard, Arnold. William and Ellen had four children: Ethel b1906, Annie b1908, Margaret b1909 and William Henry b1911. In the 1911 Census the family was living at 5 Morris' Yard, Arnold: William 30 yrs, a collier hewer, Ellen 29 yrs and their three daughters Ethel 4 yrs, Annie 3 yrs and Margaret 2 yrs of age. William Henry was born later that year. Following William's death in July 1918 his widow Ellen was awarded a pension of 33 shilling and 9 pence a week with effect from 20th January 1919. The later CWGC record gave Ellen's address as 5 Morris' Yard, Arnold, but by 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled she was living on Coppice Road, Arnold, with her unmarried son, William Henry, a builder's lorry driver. The record of one other member of the household remains closed. William married in 1950 but died the following year (buried Redhill Cemetery). Ellen died in 1956.
Lance Corporal William Nash enlisted into the Northumberland Fusiliers at Nottingham in September 1914. Because of his age we believe he must have volunteered for he would have been over age for conscription. William served with the BEF France from 25 August 1915. By July 1918, the Germans had seen their “Big Push” of March and April, come to nothing. Their lines of communication were now overstretched and supplies, even when they could be obtained, were difficult to move forward. The German Army began to withdraw; it was the beginning of the end, but they were still very dangerous and as the Allies probed forward in ever increasing strength they often would receive a 'bloody nose'. It was during one of the advances on 8th July 1918 that William was killed by shell fire. He was 37 years old. William is buried at St Venant-Robecq Road British Cemetery, Robecq, France (grave ref. IV. B. 3). William qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. War Diary, 9th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, 61st Division: ‘In the Line. 7th Church Parade. 7/8 July a working party at night from C and D Coys, 2 killed 6 wounded. 8th July Cleaning up and parades for training by Coys.' CWGC - St Venant-Robecq Road, British Cemetery (extract): 'For much of the First World War, the villages of St. Venant and Robecq remained practically undamaged, but in April 1918, during the Battle of the Lys, the German line was established within 2 kilometres of the road that joins them. The cemetery was begun around 12 April and used as a front line cemetery until the end of July. At the Armistice it contained 47 burials, but was then greatly enlarged when graves were brought in from from the battlefields south of St. Venant and from other cemeteries in the vicinity [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
CWCG headstone personal inscription: 'For ever in our thoughts wife and children 'Rest in peace'' CWGC: 'Son of Joseph Nash; husband of Ellen Nash, of 5, Morris Yard, Front St., Arnold, Notts.' WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: widow Ellen and four children, Ethel, Annie, Margaret and William Henry. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Ellen was his legatee.
