Frederick William Nall
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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1911 Census: 44 Briar Street, John Henry and Harriett Nall (married 24 years), and their children Lillian (22), John A (20), George (18), Hilda (16), Fred [Frederick William] (13, b. abt 1897) and Ernest (6). Fred was a chemist's assistant. His brother, Corporal John Albert (Jack) Nall, Sherwood Foresters 1/7th Bn, was also killed in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, 13 October 1915, age 25. His older brother, George, also served in the 1/7th Bn but survived the war. On 3 June 1919 his father completed a statement of his late son's surviving next of kin, giving these as: John Henry Nall (father) and Harriet (mother), both of 44 Briar Street, and his surviving siblings, brothers George Nall (26), 6 Furlong Terrace, Middle Furlong Road, and Ernest Nall (15), 44 Briar Street, Meadows, sisters Lilian Gregory (30), 50 Briar Street, and Hilda Walker (23), 46 Newcastle Road, Meadows. His sister-in-law, Eliza Annette Nall, his brother John's widow, and their daughter, Dorothy (b. 20 February 1915) lived at 64 Briar Street.
Army service record survives. He attested on 12 May 1914 and served as a Private in the Imperial Service Bn. He served at home until 27 February 1915 and was then in France from 28 February 1915. He was killed in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt and buried in Loos British Cemetery (grave ref XVI.D.10). The casualty return completed by the OC Battn on 16 October 1915 gave the grave reference as map sheet Bethune, Combined (1), 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. 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.’ 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.
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