| Nash | William Fleetwood | | Major | NASH, WILLIAM FLEETWOOD, Major, was born 27 September 1861, son of Henry Fleetwood Nash, of Upton Lea, Slough, Buckinghamshire. His mother was Maria, daughter of Charles Wilkinson, of Hornsea, Yorkshire. He was educated at Rugby and Sandhurst, and obtained his commission 22 January 1881, and joined the 34th Regiment of Infantry (afterwards called the Border Regiment) at, Carlisle. He was Adjutant of the Militia. In 1889 he was promoted Captain, and in 1894 was selected as Adjutant of the 1st Border Regiment. He served in the Burmese Expedition of 1889-90, when he was entrusted with the care of the battalion treasure chest. He received the Medal and clasp inscribed 'Burma, 1889-1892'. On 31 October 1898, he was promoted to the rank of Major. He proceeded with the 1st Battalion to South Africa on the outbreak of war there in 1899, and in November of the same year was specially selected to raise and command a battalion, afterwards called the Imperial Light Infantry, and took part in many engagements in Natal, notably Spion Kop, in which action, on the retirement being ordered, he was one of the last, to leave the top of the hill which he and his battalion had held with much tenacity. The record of his services in South Africa as given in the Army List is as follows: 'South African War, 1899-1902'. In command Imperial Light Infantry from December 1899; operations in Natal, 1899; Relief of Ladysmith, including operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5-7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900), and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in Natal (March to June 1900), including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899; operations in the Transvaal from 30 November 1900. Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901]; created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "William Fleetwood Nash, Major, Border Regiment. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". Lieutenant Colonel Nash was mentioned in Despatches by Sir R Buller, re the Relief of Ladysmith, in which he reported: "Major (Local Lieutenant Colonel) W F Nash, Border Regiment, commanded the Imperial Light Infantry. The extremely good work done by this battalion is due to the excellent, manner in which it was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nash". He received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, inscribed, LN, Trans, TH, RofL, CC and the King's Medal with two clasps. He retired from the Army in November 1905, and was placed on the List of Reserve of Officers. On the outbreak of war in August 1914, he was appointed to the command of the Border Depot and 34th Regimental District at Carlisle, with the temporary rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died at Carlisle on the 28th December 1915, after a short illness following a severe operation for an internal complaint, at the age of 54. He was a fine soldier, being a man of great coolness and resource, and very keen on his profession.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Border Regiment |
