NASON, HENRY HYDE WILLIAMSON, Major,
was born 8 March 1857, son of Major General John Nason, 49th Regiment, and
of Abigal Mary Williamson. He was educated at Harrow, and entered
Cambridgeshire Militia 1 May 1875; entered the 44th Regiment 8 December
1878; became Captain the Essex Regiment on 10 December 1884, and was
promoted Major 7 October 1895. Major Nason served in the South African War,
1899-1902, and was present at the Relief of Kimberley; operations in the
Orange Free State, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February);
actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand
River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions
near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (1 to 12 June); operations in
the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, including action at Belfast (26 and 27
August); operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900,
including actions at Colesberg (1 to 29 January); operations in the
Transvaal, April to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London
Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with
six clasps; the King's Medal with one clasp, and was created a Companion of
the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Henry
Hyde Williamson Nason, Major, Essex Regiment. In recognition of
services during the operations in South Africa". The decoration was awarded
for services in the field at the actions of Paardeberg, Driefontein, etc.
The Insignia were presented by the King 29 October 1901. He retired from
the Essex Regiment 8 March 1905, and became Lieutenant Colonel commanding
2nd Reserve Battalion Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, 1913. Major Nason
served in the European War, at Albert and Aveluy Wood, February 1916, on
Senior Officers' Instructional Course. In 1916 he was appointed to command
the 2nd Reserve Battalion Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. He was mentioned
in Despatches 2 March 1917. He married, in 1899, Florence, daughter of
Colonel E A Hannay, and they had two sons: Second Lieutenant Robert
Fortescue Nason, Seaforth Highlanders, born on 13 February 1900, and Claude
Fortescue Nason, born on 23 February 1904.
