William Norman NELSON

Regimental number1705
Date of birth1 November 1892
Place of birthHarwood Island, Clarence River, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressBrisbane, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Next of kinMother, Mrs Flora Nelson, Kolan River South via Bundaberg, Queensland
Enlistment date12 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name52nd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/69/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board SS Hawkes Bay on 20 April 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll49th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 20 November 1918
Discharge date15 February 1919
Family/military connectionsFather: 3637 Pte Joseph NELSON, 52nd Bn, returned to Australia, 5 November 1917; Brothers: 1706 Pte Hugh Bengt NELSON, 49th Bn, returned to Australia, 24 January 1919; 944A Pte Kenneth Joseph Francis NELSON, 49th Bn, returned to Australia, 25 March 1919.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked from Sydney, 20 April 1916; disembarked Egypt. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 6 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, 16 June 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 4 December 1916. Taken on strength, 52nd Bn, 25 January 1917.

Wounded in action (wound, left arm), 8 June 1917; rejoined unit, 28 August 1917.

Wounded in action, second occasion, 14 June 1918 (gun shot wound, left shoulder). transferred to England, 1 July 1918; admitted to Northamptonshire War Hospital, 2 July 1918; transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 19 July 1918. Discharged to No. 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 16 August 1918.

Commenced return to Australia, 20 November 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 5 January 1919; discharged, 15 February 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal