NELSON, Howard Charles Reid
| Service Number: | 2223 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 January 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 6th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Mt Blackwood, Victoria, Australia, 1895 |
| Home Town: | Benalla, Benalla, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Melbourne High School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Cerebro Spinal Meningitis & Pneumonocele, Gilrose Isolation Hospital, Leicester, England , 19 July 1919 |
| Cemetery: |
Leicester (Welford Road) Cemetery, England Memorial Reference – Screen Wall 01.387. He does not have a headstone, however his death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission |
| Memorials: | Benalla Uniting Church Memorial Window, Benalla War Memorial, Hawthorn Postmaster General's Department Victoria 1, Postmaster General's Department Victoria 2 |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2223, 5th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 2223, 5th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 2223, 5th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney | |
| 19 Jul 1919: | Involvement Lieutenant, 6th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 6th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1919-07-19 |
Help us honour Howard Charles Reid Nelson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Cathy Sedgwick
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in UK & Ireland”
Howard Charles Reid Nelson was born in 1895 at Mt. Blackwood, Victoria to parents Joseph Edward and Alicia Maude Nelson (nee Burgess).
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 12th January, 1915 as a 19 year old, single, Clerk from Smythe Street, Benalla, Victoria. Howard Nelson stated on his Attestation Papers that he had served for 12 months with 55th Australian Infantry & was presently still serving.
Joseph Edward Nelson signed a note on 4th January, 1915 stating “I hereby give permission that my son Howard Nelson may join the second Expeditionary Force in any capacity he wishes.”
On 12th January, 1915 Private Howard Charles Reid Nelson was posted to Depot Battalion. He was transferred to 5th Reinforcements of 5th Battalion on 2nd March, 1915.
He was promoted to Corporal on 16th March, 1915.
Corporal Reid was transferred to Reinforcement Detail on 17th April, 1915. He was transferred to 6th Reinforcements of 5th Battalion on 27th April, 1915.
From 1st May, 1915 Corporal Nelson was appointed Acting Sergeant.
Acting Sergeant (listed on Embarkation Roll as Private) Howard Charles Reid Nelson, Service number 2223, embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Ceramic (A40) on 25th June, 1915 with the 5th Infantry Battalion, 6th Reinforcements.
He was taken on strength of 5th Battalion at Anzac on 5th August, 1915. (Note: The Casualty form – Active Service records “reverts to rank of Private when taken on strength of 5th Battalion”.)
On 15th September, 1915 Private Nelson was sent to Field Ambulance at Lemnos & then admitted the same day to No. 2 Australian Stationary Hospital at Mudros with Diarrohoea. He was transferred to No. 3 Australian General Hospital at Mudros on 24th September, 1915 with Enteric. Private Nelson embarked for England on 4th November, 1915 on Hospital Ship Mauretania with Enteric.
Private Nelson was admitted to 5th Southern General Hospital at Portsmouth, England on 11th November, 1915.
He was transferred from Abbey Wood to Monte Video Camp at Weymouth on 31st May, 1916. Private Nelson was transferred the same day from Monte Video, Weymouth to Tidworth, near Salisbury, Wiltshire.
On 6th July, 1916 Private Nelson was taken on strength of 2nd Training Battalion at Salisbury, Wiltshire from Weymouth.
Private Nelson proceeded overseas from 2nd Training Battalion on 9th August, 1916 to rejoin his Unit in France. He was marched in to 1st Australian Base Depot at Etaples, France on 11th August, 1916 & rejoined his Unit in France on 21st August, 1916.
He was transferred to 6th Battalion on 20th September, 1916. Private Nelson was promoted to Corporal on 1st October, 1916 with 6th Battalion in France.
From 10th December, 1916 Corporal Nelson was attached for duty with 1st Australian Divisional Headquarters. He returned to his Unit on 30th March, 1917 from detachment.
Corporal Howard Charles Reid Nelson was appointed Lance Sergeant on 15th May, 1917 with 6th Battalion.
On 10th July, 1917 Lance Sergeant Nelson reported sick. He was admitted to No. 1 Australian Field Ambulance on 10th July, 1917 with Gonorrhoea then transferred to Divisional Rest Station the same day. He was discharged to duty on 23rd July, 1917 & rejoined 6th Battalion in the Field on 23rd July, 1917.
He was promoted to Sergeant on 17th September, 1917.
Sergeant Howard Charles Reid Nelson proceeded on leave to UK from 22nd September, 1917 & rejoined from leave on 2nd October, 1917.
On 15th October, 1917 Sergeant Nelson was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. (A.I.F. Orders List No. 246).
He was taken on strength of No. 30 Training Squadron at Tern Hill from No. 73 Training Squadron, R.F.C. (Royal Flying Corps) Lillibourne on 23rd November, 1917.
2nd Lieutenant Nelson proceeded to UK on duty on 26th November, 1917. He was seconded for Training with A.F.C. (Australian Flying Corps) from 7th December, 1917 & joined No. 1 School of Military Aeronautics at Reading, England on the same day for training as Flying Officer (Pilot).
On 29th January, 1918 2nd Lieutenant Nelson was marched in to No. 5 Training Squadron from School of Military Aeronautics, Reading, England for Elementary Instruction in Aviation.
He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1st March, 1918 & was to remain seconded with A.F.C. (Australian Flying Corps).
Lieutenant Nelson was sent sick (Aero Accident) to Cottage Hospital, Minchinhampton on 13th June, 1918. He was attached to No. 3 Training Squadron from 13th June, 1918. Lieutenant Nelson was marched out from Cottage Hospital on 17th June, 1918 to 1st Wing Non-Effective Officers Pool.
A Court of Enquiry was held at Minchinhampton on 14th June, 1918 enquiring into the circumstances connected with the accident on 13th June, 1918 involving injuries (including broken nose & shock) to Lieutenant H. C. R. Nelson, 6th Battalion, A.I.F. attached A.F.C. (Australian Flying Corps).
The Court found “owing to the engine failing to pick up after the glide. This was in all probability caused by loss of pressure in the petrol tank. The Pilot was on duty.”
A Medical Report was completed on Lieutenant H. C. R. Nelson at A.I.F. H.Q. on 13th September, 1918. His disablement was listed as “Paresis of L. inf.oblique muscle, Anosmia.” The disablement had occurred on 13th June, 1918 due to an aero crash. He was considered to be permanently disabled for flying. “He requires resection of nasal septum. He has paresis of the left inferior oblique muscle. Septum deviated to the Rt. nostril occluded. He has a marked degree of anosmia. Recommend admission to Hospital for resection of septum.” He was considered not fit for General Service.
On 13th September, 1918 Lieutenant Nelson was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital– cause N.Y.D. (not yet determined).
He was marched out to 1st Wing Non-Effective Officers Pool on 15th September, 1918.
A Medical Report was completed on Lieutenant H. C. R. Nelson at A.I.F. H.Q. on 8th November, 1918. His disablement was listed as Diplopia – paralysis left inferior oblique muscle. “Had operation for defected Septum at 3rd L.G.H. 28.9.18 and again 12.10.18. Result much improved air way. Diplopia still present. It is uncertain whether recovery will take place in inf. oblique, and if so when.” He was considered not fit for General Service for 6 months. He would be fit for Home service in 2 weeks.
Lieutenant Nelson was discharged to S.O.A. on 22nd November, 1918.
A Medical Report was completed on Lieutenant H. C. R. Nelson at A.I.F. H.Q. on 22nd November, 1918. His disablement was listed as Diplopia & he “has constant headaches for 2 months up till middle of August. Headaches less constant. The last headache a week ago lasted a few hours. Feels very well. Heart and lungs clear.” He was considered fit for Home Service.
On 23rd November, 1918 Lieutenant Nelson was taken on strength of No. 5 Training Squadron from 1st Wing Non-Effective Officers Pool.
He was struck off strength & marched out to A.F.C. Depot at Wendover on 10th December, 1918.
A Medical Report was completed on Lieutenant H. C. R. Nelson at A.I.F. H.Q. on 13th December, 1918. His disablement was listed as Diplopia & he was 100% disabled re flying. He was considered fit for General Service.
Lieutenant Nelson was marched in to A.F.C. Depot, Wendover on 13th December, 1918. He was marched out to S. O. A. London for disposal on 31st December, 1918.
On 17th January, 1919 Lieutenant Nelson was admitted to Grove Military Hospital, Tooting. He was discharged to S.O.A. on 21st January, 1919.
He was attached to Finance Sector, London for duty on 22nd January, 1919.
Lieutenant Howard Charles Reid Nelson proceeded to Wing as Instructor on 31st January, 1919.
From 14th April, 1919 Lieutenant Nelson was granted N.M.E. (Non Military Employment) Leave to 31st May, 1919 with pay & Subs. Reason: Motor running, London. Attending Mansion’s Training Motor Garage, York St, Westminster. As a result Lieutenant Nelson ceased to be seconded to A.F.C. (Australian Flying Corps) from 14th April, 1919.
He was granted an extension of N.M.E. (Non Military Employment Leave) from 1st June, 1919 to 1st September, 1919 with pay & subs. Reason: Engineering. Attending Tech College at Loughborough.
On 17th July, 1919 Lieutenant Nelson was admitted to Gilrose Isolation Hospital, Leicester, England.
Lieutenant Howard Charles Reid Nelson died at 2.45 pm on 19th July, 1919 at Gilrose Isolation Hospital, Leicester, England from Cerebro Spinal Meningitis & Pneumonocele.
He was buried in Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester, Leicestershire, England – Memorial Reference – Screen Wall 01.387. He does not have a headstone however his death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/leicester.html
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