TOPIC:

John Nash – M.M.

Private, Special Service Clerk, Army Service Corps – Anglo Boer War
2nd Corporal, Sergeant, Captain, 20 Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers – WWI

- Military Medal GVR to 56596 SJT. J. NASH. 20/D.S. CO. R.E.
- Queens South Africa Medal (Cape Colony, South Africa 1902) to 154 PTE J. NASH. A.S.C.
- 1914-15 Star to 56596 2. CPL. J. NASH. R.E.
- British War Medal to 2. LIEUT. J. NASH.
- Victory Medal to 2. LIEUT. J. NASH.



John Nash was born in Woolwich, Kent on 9 June 1880 the son of Timber Merchant George Nash and his wife Amanda, born Hines. At the time of his baptism in the local church on 12 October 1880 his family were living at 51 Burrage Grove, Plumstead.

A few months later, with the 1881 England census, the Nash family were still at the same address. John “under 10 months” was next in line after brother George (1). The next England census, the 1891 version, showed that the family had moved to 74 Eglington Road in Plumstead. John was now 10 years old and joined in the ranks by older brother George and newcomers Thomas William (6) and Eleanor Daisy (3). Young Ada Hines, Mr Nash’s sister-in-law, was at the age of 11, visiting the family.

Ten years later, at the time of the 1901 England census, the family were living at 6 Taylor’s Buildings in Woolwich. Mrs Nash had died in August 1897 leaving a throng of young children for her husband to care of and this worthy, having decided that the task was too much to tackle alone, married Delilah Dorcas Turner on 2 July 1899. John, at 21, was the oldest of the offspring at home. Listed as a Telegraphist, he had been employed with the General Post Office since 25 March 1896 – an occupation with which he was to persevere throughout his life.

The Anglo Boer War had been raging in far away South Africa since October 1899 and finally, after a series of initial reverses, the British Army and the Colonial outfits raised to assist them, were beginning to take the war by the scruff of the neck with the Boers down but far from out. John Nash, having decided that it was time to “do his bit,” completed Short Service attestation forms (One Year with the Colours) at Woolwich on 10 April 1902.

Confirming that he was 21 years old and a Telegraphist by occupation, he was found to be Fit by the medics and assigned to the Army Service Corps with no. 154. Physically he was a lanky 6 feet 1 inches tall, weighed in at 142 lbs and had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He had a scar on his left check and temple by way of distinguishing characteristics about his person. After 16 days Nash sailed for the front and, having reached Cape Town on 26 April 1902, headed for the field of operations. Although the war ended on 31 May 1902, just over a month from the day he arrived, he was to spend until 3 April 1903 in South Africa before being discharged on the termination of his engagement on 9 April 1903.

His Queens South Africa medal was issued off the Special Service Clerks roll dated at Cape Town on 11 February 1903.

Back home in England, Nash married Clara Showler, a 37 year old spinster, at St Mary Magdalene’s in Peckham on 21 June 1906. He was 26 years old – at least ten years younger than his bride – and was living at 1 Stanbury Road in London whilst his bride lived at 86 Coventry Road in Plumstead and was the daughter of a Farmer.
Five years later the 1911 England census revealed that the couple had had a daughter, Muriel Clara Nash, who was 2 years old (born 26 August 1908). Nash was still a Telegraphist with the family living at 108 Verdant Road, Catford, London.

The peace that had descended on the world was about to be rudely broken. Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, having long harboured ambitions of territorial expansion, went to war with Great Britain and her Allies on 4 August 1914 and Nash, now all of 34 years of age, placed his services at the disposal of the Crown by completing Short Service (For the Duration of the War) attestation forms at London on 5 November 1914.

Joining the ranks of the Royal Engineers as a Sapper with no. 56596 Nash confirmed that his address was 108 Verdant Road, Catford and that he was a Telegraphist. He also confirmed his Boer War service as a Clerk with the A.S.C. for one year. Initially assigned to the Depot his worth was soon realised and promotions followed suit – to Lance Corporal on 19 May 1915 and to 2nd Corporal on 16 May 1915. He embarked for service with the British Expeditionary Force in France on 22 July 1915 and was promoted to Sergeant on 22 December 1915, all the while with 20th Divisional Signal Company, R.E.

From the very outset Nash’s skills as an Office Telegraphist were seen as an added inducement for extra pay and responsibilities and there was a flurry or memorandums and telegrams from his Officer Commanding and the War Office in relation thereto. In the meanwhile, he got on with the job and was remustered as a Linesman Telegraphist.

An unassuming man, his competence and bravery in the field was soon to be recognised and rewarded. His name appears in the London Gazette of 27 October 1916 for the award of the Military Medal – despite the absence of citations, it is possible to determine that he was awarded the medal for an act of bravery during the 20th Divisions attack at Guillemont on 3 September 1916. The War Diary for the period starts with a history of the Unit followed by a list of Honours and Awards under which Cpl Nash is named under MMs with a date of 27/10/1916. Nash’s award was, in all probability, for repairing lines or acting as a message 'runner'' under heavy fire.

20 Division had been in the Ypres area in July 1916, before moving to the Somme in August. The Division came into action at Guillemont, as we have seen, on 3 September 1916. The History of the 20th Division, page 86 of Chapter IV provided the following detail:

“Signal communication throughout the battle was good, due to the excellent system devised by Major F.J.M. Stratton, commanding the 20th Divisional Signal Company R.E.

Division was in touch with brigades by telephone practically without a break. Forward of brigades, lines were laid as far as the original front line, with runner posts and linesmen stationed at intervals along them. The line to the left was broken only once; that to the right was broken several times, but was never out of action for more than ten minutes.

Forward of the old front line most messages came back by runners; some were brought by pigeons, and a few were signalled by aeroplanes. Arrangements were made for visual signalling, and both brigades had wireless stations in touch with the Corps wireless at Divisional headquarters. The capture of Guillemont was a fine achievement, for which the Commander-in-Chief, the Commanders of the Fourth Army and of the XIVth Corps sent messages of congratulation to the Division.”

On 21 June 1917 Nash was discharged as a Sergeant on being appointed to a Temporary Commission.

The war over on 11 November 1918 he returned to his civilian occupation with the G.P.O. and was, according to the 1921 England census, still living at 108 Verdant Road, Catford with Clara and Muriel. He was recorded as being a Counter Clerk and Telegraphist with the General Post Office, London W.C. District.

Nash’s career prospered and, on 15 March 1929, he was promoted to Overseer in the London Postal Region. On 29 July 1934 he was promoted to Assistant Superintendent and, on 1 February 1937, to Superintendent on an annual salary of £515. Two years later, at the time the 1939 Register was compiled, he had finally given up Verdant Road and was living at 125 Wickham Way in Beckham with his wife and daughter. He was recorded as being the Telegraph Superintendent of the London Postal Region.

This remarkable man passed away on 29 April 1950 at the age of 70 bequeathing the sum of £4161 to his spinster daughter, Muriel. His wife, Clara, had passed away on 27 October 1949 – six months earlier. Muriel wasn’t to remain a spinster for the rest of her life; she wed Cyril Fells Stacey a Mechanical Engineer and War Office official in 1957.

Acknowledgments:
- Various members of the Great War Forum for their input and insight
- Ancestry & FMP for birth, census and probate data
- Ditto for Medal rolls