NASH, Harold Mervyn
| Service Number: | 26709 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 February 1916, Geelong, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 12th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Drysdale, Victoria, Australia, 1896 |
| Home Town: | Drysdale, Greater Geelong, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | 22 February 1984, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Drysdale Methodist Church Honor Roll, Drysdale State School No 1645 Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Gunner, 26709, 12th Field Artillery Brigade , Geelong, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Sep 1916: | Involvement Gunner, 26709, 12th Field Artillery Brigade , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Sydney embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Sep 1916: | Embarked Gunner, 26709, 12th Field Artillery Brigade , HMAT Port Sydney, Melbourne | |
| 11 Apr 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Gunner, 26709, 12th Field Artillery Brigade , Bullecourt (First) | |
| 7 Jun 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Gunner, 26709, 12th Field Artillery Brigade , Battle of Messines, SW right arm. Evacuated to England. Rejoined unit 23 October 1917. | |
| 26 Apr 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Gunner, 26709, 12th Field Artillery Brigade , German Spring Offensive 1918, GSW to right wrist (fractured). Evacuated to England. | |
| 25 Nov 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Gunner, 26709, 12th Field Artillery Brigade , RTA 21 July 1918 and discharged as medically unfit (right arm). |
Linda
Harold Nash was my grandfather he lived with his injuries his whole life he was a TPI and very proud of his service and his family's service as well. he was unwell for most of his life from shattered bones in both ankles and also wrists. which left him in irons on the legs and never being able to hold heavy objects. in spite of this he owned a grocery store in Coburge VIC which he ran with his wife Ethal in Gaffney Street. they had two boys; Alexander and Robert Alexander served in WW2 and was my father. Harold had 11 grandchildren who grew up hearing stories about their grandads' deeds in WW1 mostly from their grandmother Ethal who was very proud of him. he and his wife eventually moved to Boronia followed by the two boys and their wives and children Harold and Ethal were married for over 60 years and lived a full and happy life despite of all of his health problems.
Submitted 20 March 2026 by Linda Cain
Biography contributed by Robert Wight
A farmer from Drysdale, Victoria prior to enlistment, Gnr Nash embarked with the 5th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Port Sydney on 7 September 1916.
While serving in Belgium he was wounded in action on 7 June 1917 and was evacuated to England. Following his recovery he rejoined his unit in France and was wounded in action for the second time on 26 April 1918.
Once again evacuated to England, he returned to Australia on 21 July 1918 and was medically discharged.
Source: AWM
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