DMD - Products
JAMES FRANCIS NELSON, ROYAL NAVY & MIDDLESEX REGIMENT
Third China War Medal 1900, bar, 'Relief of Pekin', officially impressed naming - J.T. NELSON, Ord. HMS. 'Barfleur'; 1914-15 Star, G-1265 Pte. J.F. NELSON, Middx. R. (Middlesex Regiment) : (JAMES FRANCIS NELSON - Born 14 December 1879 at Islington, London, a shop boy by trade when on 16 May 1895, he joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd.Class at HMS. 'Impregable'. Advanced to Boy 1st. Class from 27 February 1896 and transferred to HMS. 'Pembroke I' from 15 December 1896. To 'Dreadnaught' from 19 January 1897, and to 'Blenheim' from 11 February 1897. Advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 14 December 1897 and transferred to 'Barfleur' from 1 October 1898, in which ship he took part in the Third China War including the Relief of Pekin. Served continuously through to May 1910 both at sea in various ships, and on shore including a number of visits to the cells. Lastly served at 'Pembroke I' from where he was Shore Pensioned to Reserve on 25 May 1910. With the outbreak of war in 1914, as a Reservist he was recalled to active duty and chose to serve in the Army, rather than the Royal Navy. In consequence from September 1914, he was posted to the Middlesex Regiment, and entered France on 3 December 1914. Later posted to 11th.Battalion, which had entered France from June 1915. On 9 October 1916 the Battalion was in trenches at Gueudecourt on the Somme, when according to the Battalion War Diary, it suffered heavy shelling "all day and night", two men were killed and thirty wounded. The recipient was initially recorded as 'Missing', later 'Presumed as Dead'. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial.) Sold with verification, copy Royal Navy Service Record, copy Army Service Papers, CWGC. information, copy Battalion War Diary entry and related research. Also entitled to British War Medal and Victory Medal. Note incorrect second initial in naming on China Medal. A total of 272 medals awarded to 'Barfleur' for the Relief of Pekin : A most unusual pair of medals to a man who served both in the Royal Navy and the Army. GVF - £575