Private John Nelson
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present, other than that at some point he probably lived in Clarendon Street, Londonderry.
Nelson enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 7 September 1914 (No.1151). On 28 April 1915 he embarked for France with a reinforcement draft for A and C Squadrons – he was probably posted to the latter.
In June 1916 C Squadron combined with F Squadron and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps until September 1917, when the regiment was disbanded and its men transferred to the infantry. Like the majority, Nelson was transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – but later than most, between 24 October and 26 November 1917. He may have been ill at the time. He was issued regimental number 41641.
At present nothing more is known of his service during the war.
On 16 March 1919 Nelson was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.