The shortest of the three Nash Brothers stood six feet tall – a towering height for their time. Edward, Roland and Milford (‘Miff’) Nash all joined the 161st Overseas Battalion upon enlistment, but they served with different battalions on the Western Front.
161st Overseas Battalion
The Nash Brothers joined the 161st Overseas Battalion – Organized in December 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Barry Combe. Mobilized at London, Ontario, and recruited in Huron County. Embarked from Halifax 1 November 1916 aboard SS LAPLAND, and later disembarked England 11 November 1916 with a strength of 28 officers, 749 other ranks. Drafts of 189 to 58th Battalion in November 1916. Draft of 100 to 18th Battalion in February 1918. Part of 5th Canadian Division, 14th Infantry Brigade, but later absorbed by 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion on 15 February 1918.
MIKAN No 3404428: Following the review of 30,000 Canadian Troops by Gen. Sir Sam Hughes at Camp Borden, Ont., the men of the 161st Battalion hurried to the water taps.
1915
29 December 1915
Private Edward Beverly Nash 654132 enlisted 29 December 1915 at Wroxeter, Ontario with the 161st Overseas Huron Battalion. Standing 6 feet tall, 28 years, 8 months of age with fair complexion, dark eyes and dark hair. Edward, the shortest of the Nash Brothers. Scar on right cheek.
1916
3 January 1916
Corporal Roland Philips Nash 654159 enlisted 3 January 1916 at Wroxeter, Ontario with the 161st Overseas Huron Battalion. Standing 6′ 4″ feet tall, 172 pounds, 21 years, 9 months of age with fair complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. Roland the tallest of the Nash Brothers. Missing small portion of left little finger.
23 March 1916
Private Milford Earl Nash 654642 enlisted 23 March 1916 at Wroxeter, Ontario with the 161st Overseas Huron Battalion. Standing 6′ 3″ feet tall, 200 pounds, 24 years, 7 months of age with dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. Not the youngest, but the last of the Nash Brothers to enlist. Scar on left shin.
30 October 1916
The Nash Brothers sailed per SS LAPLAND. Following arrival in England, all ToS by the 4th Reserve Battalion.
4th Canadian Reserve Battalion (Western Ontario)
Organized at West Sandling on 4 January 1917 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F C McCordick. Formed by absorbing 35th Canadian Reserve Battalion, one-half of the 162nd and one-half of the 168th Battalions. Absorbed 160th and 161th Battalions on 15 February 1918, and 186th Battalion on 10 April 1917. Moved to Bramshott before April 1917. Absorbed 25th Canadian Reserve Battalion on 15 February 1918. Reinforced 1st and 18th Battalions, 2nd Pioneers. Disbanded on 1 May 1919.
1917
13 January 1917
Corporal Roland Philips Nash entered the Western Front with the 18th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Roland reverted in rank for 30 days in order to do so.
18th Canadian Infantry Battalion
Organized in October 1914 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E S Wigle. Mobilized at London, Ontario and also recruited in London, Windsor, Woodstock, Chatham, St Thomas, Strathroy, Stratford, Galt, Guelph, Walkerville and Goderich. Draft of 1 soldier and 20 other ranks sent to England 6 April 1915. Embarked from Halifax 18 April 1915 aboard GRAMPIAN, and later disembarked England 28 April 1915 with a strength of 36 officers, 1081 other ranks. Disembarked in France 15 September 1915 with the 2nd Canadian Division, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade and later reinforced by 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
19 February 1917
Private Roland Philips Nash first went to the front lines near Thelus.
17 March 1917
Pte Edward Beverly Nash writes home to his sister.
I am learning to operate the Lewis Machinegun now. I understand that Miff will be the Company Driver now, whatever that is. We have men from all over Canada. A lot of them are from Nova Scotia, and there is one Russian.
Pte Edward Beverly Nash
24 March 1917
In another letter to his sister Alma, Pte Edward Beverly Nash describes his experiences at Gas School.
Well I am through with Machine Gun and Gas (school) now and I don’t know what I will do next. I went through a trench filled with gas this morning and went into a room with little weeping gas, it certainly makes your eyes smart.
Edward Beverly Nash
9 April 1917
Private Roland Philips Nash wrote home to his mother from England on 7 August 1917, describing his experiences at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
On Monday morning April 9 we advanced to take the ridge. Our Battalion (18th) and the 19th took the first three lines of trenches and made an advance of about 800 yards. One of the Sergeants of our company attacked one concrete emplacement single handedly and got the Victoria Cross, but was killed. He was the first man in the Second Division to win the VC.
Pte R P Nash
Lance Sergeant Ellis Wellwood Sifton VC
18 June 1917
Private Roland Philips Nash promoted Corporal in the Field.
18 July 1917
Corporal Roland Philips Nash wounded.
27 July 1917
Corporal Roland Philips Nash admitted No 1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, GSW right arm and elbow.
31 July 1917
Corporal Roland Philips Nash admitted Military Hospital, Lewisham.
7 August 1917
Corporal Roland Philips Nash writes home to his mother.
I am back in England again. My wound is very nearly healed.
Cpl R P Nash
14 August 1917
Corporal Roland Philips Nash admitted Canadian General Hospital, Uxbridge.
24 August 1917
Corporal Roland Philips Nash discharged Canadian General Hospital, Uxbridge.
1918
8 January 1918
Private Milford Earl Nash appointed A/L/Cpl without pay.
8 March 1918
A/L/Cpl Milford Earl Nash reverts in ranks, preparing to go overseas.
28 March 1918
Private Milford Earl Nash entered the Western Front with the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion.
1st Canadian Infantry Battalion
Organized at Valcartier Camp September 1914 composed of recruits from MD 1 (Western Ontario), initially commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel F W Hill. Other Officers Commanding: F A Creighton (24/1/16), G C Hodson (27/6/16). Embarked from Quebec 25 September 1914 aboard LAURENTIC, and later disembarked in England 14 October 1914 with a strength of 45 officers, 1121 other ranks. Arrived in France 11 February 1915 with the 1st Division, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
29 March 1918
SoS to 47th Battalion, Private Edward Beverly Nash entered the Western Front.
47th Canadian Infantry Battalion
Organized in February 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W N Winsby. Mobilized at New Westminster and recruited in New Westminster, Vancouver and Victoria. Drafts of 5 officers, 250 other ranks, 4 officers, 244 other ranks and 5 officers, 249 other ranks sent to England on 17 June, 24 June and 1 October 1915. Embarked from Montreal 13 November 1915 aboard MISSANABIE and later disembarked England 22 November 1915 with a strength of 36 officers, 1115 other ranks. Disembarked in France 10 August 1916. 4th Canadian Division, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade and later reinforced by 24th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
29 April 1918
Private Edward Beverly Nash placed under stoppage of pay to make good the loss of Government Property by neglect (a knife).
21 May 1918
Private Edward Beverly Nash Sos 47th Battalion to 3rd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps.
3rd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Organized in France on 19 March 1918 as a result of the reorganization of the 3rd Canadian Divisional Machine Gun Battalion which composed the 7th, 8th, 9th and 15th Canadian Machine Gun Companies. Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W N Moorhouse.
9 August 1918
Private Edward Beverly Nash admitted No 5 Canadian Field Ambulance, PUO.
11 August 1918
Private Edward Beverly Nash discharged No 5 Canadian Field Ambulance.
14 September 1918
Private Edward Beverly Nash admitted No 13 Canadian Field Ambulance, PUO.
18 September 1918
Private Edward Beverly Nash discharged No 13 Canadian Field Ambulance, PUO.
30 September 1918
Private Milford Earl Nash admitted No 18 General Hospital, Camiers GSW left shoulder. Earl likely wounded the previous day during Battle of Canal du Nord operations.
4 October 1918
Private Milford Earl Nash evacuated to England General Military Hospital, Colchester.
14 October 1918
Private Edward Beverly Nash admitted No 3 General Hospital, Le Treport, Nephritis.
1 November 1918
In a letter home to his sister, Milford Earl Nash mentions a Georgie Nash from Whipps War Hospital in Sussex.
I have been pretty sick but am feeling fine again. I think I had everything but the flu. My wound was badly poisoned and I seemed to get all through me but I have been better lately but I guess I have to go careful for a while. Have you heard of Georgie Nash him and Bev were in the same hospital.
Pte M E Nash
Private George Thomas Nash 754693
Private George Thomas Nash 754693 born in Gorrie, Huron County on 13 June 1895. Enlisted 6 January 1916 at Echo Bay with the 119th Overseas Battalion. Standing 6 feet tall, 160 pounds with fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. Georgie had entered the Western Front on 28 February 1918 with the 58th Battalion.
7 November 1918
Private Edward Beverly Nash admitted Bach War Hospital, Bath, Nephritis.
21 December 1918
Private Milford Earl Nash admitted to Military Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote Park, Epsom.
27 December 1918
Private Edward Beverly Nash admitted to Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bear Wood, Nephritis.
1919
2 January 1919
Corporal Roland Philips Nash posted to Casualty Company.
17 January 1919
Private Edward Beverly Nash discharged from Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bear Wood.
22 January 1919
Corporal Roland Philips Nash subsistence allowance from 2 January 1919 to 27 January 1919.
29 January 1919
Corporal Roland Philips Nash discharged from HMS on Demobilization, London, Ontario.
5 February 1919
Private Milford Earl Nash discharged Military Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote Park, Epsom.
23 March 1919
Private Edward Beverly Nash embarked per HMTS EMPRESS OF BRITAIN.
1 April 1919
Private Milford Earl Nash discharged an No 1 District Depot.
Epilogue
Though the Nash Brothers had traveled to England together aboard SS LAPLAND, all returned to Canada separately.
12 September 1951
Corporal Roland Philips Nash died.
24 December 1954
Private Milford Earl Nash died.
Appreciation
Special thanks for these letters shared by family member James Duggan with the Canadian Letters & Images Project.