Name
Frank Branch Nash
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
3827
London Regiment *1
1st/9th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 9C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Beechen Grove Baptist Church Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance
Pre War
Son of Henry Edward and Alice Mary (nee BRANCH) NASH.
His parents married 1885 in the St George in the East, London, district. Henry died 1 August 1939 in Watford aged 77, and was buried 4 August in North Watford Cemetery; Alice died 2 October 1939 in Watford aged 77, and was buried 5 October, also in North Watford Cemetery.
Frank was born 14 August 1895 in Stepney, London, and attended Victoria Junior School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 11 January 1904 to 20 January 1905 [sic]; then Alexandra School, Watford, from 10 January 1905 [sic] to 31 July 1907; finally Watford Grammar School from 16 September 1907 to December 1910. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he lived in Bushey, Herts, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, aged 15 he lived in Watford, with his parents and five siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London November 1914, and was formerly Private 391133 9th London Regiment. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 9 May 1915, and was reported missing 1 July 1916, presumed killed in action.
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads: “NASH, FRANK BRANCH. School period: September, 1907, to December, 1910. Rifleman, 9th London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles). Enlisted in November, 1914; reported missing, 1st July, 1916: presumed killed.”
There are articles about Frank in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 29 July 1916 and 28 April 1917; and a Grammar School Missing list in the issue dated 22 December 1917.
Unfortunately, Frank’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
*1 Probably more correctly (County of London) Bn. London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
