John Albert Nall
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Known as 'Jack'. 1911 Census: 44 Briar Street, John and Harriett Nall (married 24 years), and their children Lillian (22), John A (20), George, Hilda (16), Fred [Frederick William] (13) and Ernest (6). John was a chemist's assistant. He married Eliza Annette Nall sometime after 1911 and they lived at 64 Briar Street, Meadows. They had one child, Dorothy, born 20 February 1915, just days before her father left for the Front. His brother, Private Frederick William Nall, Sherwood Foresters 1/7th Bn, age 18, was also killed in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, 13 October 1915. Their brother, George, also served in the 1/7th Bn but survived. On 2 June 1919 John's widow completed a statement about her late husband's surviving next of kin, giving these as: Eliza Annette Nall (wife) and Dorothy (daughter, b. 20 February 1915), both of 64 Briar Street, his father, John Henry and mother, Harriet, both of 44 Briar Street, Meadows, and his surviving siblings, brothers George Nall (26), 6 Furlong Terrace, Middle Furlong Road, and Ernest Nall (15), 44 Briar Street, Meadows, and sisters Lilian Gregory (30), 50 Briar Street, and Hilda Walker (23), 46 Newcastle Road, Meadows.
Army service record survives. He attested for service in the Imperial Service Bn (Robin Hoods) on 5 March 1909 when he was 18 years 8 months. He was promoted from Private to Lance Corporal on 26 July 1912 then to Corporal on 15 July 1914. He attended annual camps: 25 July 1909-8 August 1909, 31 July 1910-14 August 1910, 30 July 1911-13 August 1911, and 4 August 1912-18 August 1912. He re-engaged for one year in 1914 but embodied service started on 5 August 1914. He served at home to 27 February 1915 (5 years 360 days) and was then in France from 28 February 1915 to his death on13 October 1915 (228 days). He arrived in France the same day as his brother, Frederick William, who served in the same battalion. He served in 'D' Company. He was killed in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt and has no known grave but is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. However, the casualty report that Nall had been killed in action in the Field was completed by the OC Battn on 16 October 1915 and gives the site of his grave as map Bethune Combined A.28, C.8.4.
Nottingham Post obituary (abridged) 21 October 1915: 'NALL killed in action October 13th, Corporal J Nall, 1/7th Robin Hoods, husband of Eliza Annette Nall, age 25 years, also his brother, Private F Nall killed in action October 13th aged 18 years, both of 44 Briar Street' In memoriam published 13th October 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “NALL. – In loving memory of our dear sons, Jack and Fred, killed in action October 13th and 15th, 1915, respectively. What happy hours we once enjoyed, how sweet the memory still; but they have left some aching hearts, this world can never fill. – Mother, father, sisters, and brothers. “NALL. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Corporal F. A. Nall, Robin Hoods, killed in action October 13th, 1915. Christ will link the broken chain closer when we meet again. – Wife and child Dorothy. “NALL. – In affectionate remembrance of my dear brother-in-law, Private F. W. Nall, Robin Hoods, killed in action, October 15th, 1915. Ever in my thoughts. – Eliza and niece Dorothy. “NALL. – In loving memory of my dear friend Jack, Corporal John Nall, also his dear brother, Private Fred Nall, killed in action October 13th – 15th, 1915. Ever in my thoughts. – George Gregory.” In memoriam published 13th October 1917 in the Nottingham Evening :- Post :- “NALL. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Corporal John Albert Nall, killed in action October 13th, 1915. Though death divides, fond memories cling. – Wife and child Dorothy. “NALL. – In loving memory of our dear sons, Corporal John A. Nall and Private W. Nall, killed in action on October 13th and 15th, 1915. Time may heal the broken hearts, time make make the wound less sore, but can never stop the longing for our loved ones gone before. We mourn for you in silence. – From mother, father brothers, and sisters. “NALL. – In loving memory of our dear brothers, Corporal Jack A. Nall and Private Fred W. Nall, killed in action October 13th and 15th, 1915. Still deeply mourned. – Sisters and brothers Lily, George, Hilda and Alf. “NALL. – In loving remembrance of Private F. W. Nall, killed in action October 15th, 1915. The supreme sacrifice. – Sister-in-law Eliza and niece Dorothy. “NALL. – In loving memory of our dear brothers, Jack and Fred, killed in action October 13th and 15th, 1915. Ever in remembrance. – George, Nellie, Georgie.” Above in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, December 1915, ‘The Union of Hearts’: extract, ‘The kindly acknowledgements from the boys who receive parcels make a big mail bag: and a very touching collection the letters are … Island Street, London Road, the Offices, and in fact all the other departments have each received a big budget of letters of thanks. Jack Nall and A Wildgust, both of whom have now passed through the portals of death, are among the writers. The latter acknowledges a parcel of cigarettes, and the former writes, ‘I wish to thank you and all the boys for the good things you have sent. They were extra, and went down a treat … All the chaps wish you to thank the girls for the mittens they have knitted ... It is pleasant to record that special efforts are being made to ensure that the Christmas parcels shall be, as poor Jack Nall says, ‘extra’.’ (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38) Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’ December 1915. Dead on the Field of Honour (photographs). ‘Corpl JA Nall. Pte FW Nall. One of the saddest sequences of death in action is that of the brothers Jack and Fred Nall, two well-known and highly respected members of Boots. They had both been employed by the firm at Island Street since boyhood, and at the time of enlistment Jack was engaged in the Capsule Dept, and Fred in the Packed Goods Dept. No men could have been more popular, for by their integrity and their kindly qualities they had won many friends. It may be mentioned that several years ago Jack performed an act of signal bravery in rescuing a child from the river Trent when the flooded state of the waters made this a task of great peril. Sir Jesse Boot marked his sense of the gallantry displayed on this occasion by presenting Jack Nall with a handsome gold medal. Now both Jack and Fred have been killed in action with the Robin Hoods in Flanders, the one on October 13th, the other on October 15th. Jack, who was 26 years of age was married, and leaves a widow and one child, while Fred, who was just over 18 years of age, was single. Everyone will sorrow with the widow and her child, and with Mr and Mrs Nall senr. in their hour of affliction.’ His personal belongings comprising letters, photographs, notebook, testament, devotional book and comb were returned to his widow who signed for them in February 1916. In June 1916 Eliza was awarded a pension of 15/6d a week for herself and her child. This website has identified seven days during the Great War on which two Nottinghamshire brothers were killed. Four of the local pairs discovered so far were killed fighting with the same unit. The Nall family tragedy highlights the downside of siblings serving in the same battalion.
No Photos