David Nelson (VC)

For other people named David Nelson, see David Nelson.

David Nelson
Born	3 April 1886 Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
Died	8 April 1918 (aged 32) Dublin
Buried at	St. James' Churchyard
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	major
Unit	Royal Artillery
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross

David Nelson VC (3 April 1886 - 8 April 1918) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Military Career

Nelson was born Deraghland, Stradnoden, Co Monaghan. He was 28 years old, and a sergeant in 'L' Battery, Royal Artillery (RHA), British Army during the World War I when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

Main article: Action at Néry

On 1 September 1914 at Néry, France, Sergeant Nelson helped to bring the guns into action - with an officer (Edward Kinder Bradbury) and a warrant officer (George Thomas Dorrell) - under heavy fire and in spite of being severely wounded. He remained with the guns until all the ammunition was expended, although he had been ordered to retire to cover.

Nelson later achieved the rank of major. He was killed in action at Lillers, France, on 8 April 1918.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum (London, England).

The Nery gun

References

Listed in order of publication year

• The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
• Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". The Irish Sword XVI (64): 185–287. 
• Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

• The Néry Gun and Medals at Imperial War Museum Victoria Cross and George Cross Gallery
• Per Finsted, The Affair at Néry, 1 September 1914, with map and illustrations