b. 23/04/1824 Newcastle, County Limerick, Ireland. d. 06/04/1875 Homerton, London.
William Nash (1824-1875) was born in Newcastle, County Limerick, Ireland on 23rd April 1824. He would enlist as a boy soldier at the age of 14 in 1838. He enlisted with the Rifle Brigade, and would serve throughout the Indian Mutiny.
William Nash VC
On the 11th March 1858, during the assault on Lucknow, Captain Henry Wilmot’s (later VC) company was engaged with a large body of the enemy near the Iron Bridge. Wilmot made a charge and found himself at the end of a street with only four of his men, opposed by a large group of rebels. One of the men was shot through both of his legs and disabled. Two of the men lifted him up, and although Private Hawkes was severely wounded, they carried him a considerable distance to safety. Captain Wilmot covered the retreat with rifle fire. Nash was one of the men who carried Hawkes to safety.
Not much is known about Nash following his service, except that his VC was awarded on 24th December 1858, and he received his medal sometime in 1859 in India. Following the Mutiny, he returned to England and settled in London. He died on 6th April 1875 at his home, 16 Marlow Road in Homerton, and he was buried in an unmarked grave in St John’s Churchyard in Hackney. His medals are not publicly held.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NOT PUBLICLY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: ST JOHN’S CHURCHYARD, HACKNEY, LONDON. (UNMARKED GRAVE)
