| Regimental number | 709 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Muskvale near Daylesford, Victoria |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Boot repairer |
| Address | 31 London Street, Malvern, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Sister, Miss Mary E. Nelson, 31 London Street, Malvern, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Three years in Citizen Forces prior to enlisting |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 31st Battalion, C Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/48/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on |
| 31st Battalion Headquarters and Companies A, B, C and D sailed on two ships, HMAT A62 Wandilla, 9th November 1915 from Melbourne, and HMAT A41 Bakara, 5 November 1915, from Melbourne. It is not possible to tell from the Embarkation Roll on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A41 Bakara on |
| 31st Battalion Headquarters and Companies A, B, C and D sailed on two ships, HMAT A62 Wandilla, 9th November 1915 from Melbourne, and HMAT A41 Bakara, 5 November 1915, from Melbourne. It is not possible to tell from the Embarkation Roll on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 31st Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Cross Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Cross 'Near Villers-Carbonnel on 28th-29th August 1918, he led his platoon with great dash and gallantry across open country in the face on intense artillery and machine gun fire. His coolness and daring and cheerful demeanour inspired his men with great confidence, and they followed him with unwavering determination.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67 Date: |
| Family/military connections | Three brothers: Private William Charles NELSON, Reg. No. 282, 3rd Pioneers, returned to Australia 20 November 1918; Private Francis James NELSON, Reg. No. 1170, 22nd Battalion, returned to Australia 12 March 1918; Private George Ernest NELSON, Reg. No. 1753, 46th Battalion, returned to Australia 15 February 1919~ |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Medals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 59 |
| Place of burial | Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton, Victoria |