| Regimental number | 1981 |
| Place of birth | Ballarat Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Painter |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Mary Nelson, 5 Nottingham Street, Kensington, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 21st Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/38/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'For distinguished service and gallantry in action near Bullecourt, when he continued to serve his mortar throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn.' Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'The above men [NELSON, 970 W. PARSONS, 844 R.C. LAING, 3798 P.J. COUCH, 4470 D. McQUEEN, 4509 R.G. McSHANE, 1797 W.R. FOWLER] distinguished themselves in action in the captured trenches near BULLECOURT on 3rd May 1917, by the gallantry and determination with which they continued to serve their mortars throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn on the 5th. On no occasion was a request for fire not complied with, though the battery suffered severe losses (over half its numbers). No chance of observing fire or getting targets was thrown away and the casualties the Battery inflicted on the enemy were certainly very heavy. On one occasion a hostile party was barraged first in front, then in rear, and when brought to halt blown out without a survivor. In this the above N.C.O.s and men played a prominent part.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189 Date: |
| Date of death |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
