William Nanson - England International

Does anyone have any information?

I know that he "went North" and was killed in WW1, but can find little beyond this

Thanks

Adrian

Hullo Adrian,

What a splendid site this is. A few good friends and I have been dabbling in this for a year or so of the back f our passion for The Great War. I commend your efforts and have already joined the society.

Anyway, in regards to the gentleman you requested information on here is what was supplied to the then Imperial War Graves Commission shortly after his death:

Name: NANSON, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment
Unit Text: 1st/10th Bn.
Age: 34
Date of Death: 04/06/1915
Service No: 1745
Additional information: Son of Elizabeth and the late Charles James Nanson; husband of Margaret Nanson, of 192, Horsedge St., Oldham. Served in the South African Campaign. Former England Rugby Football International.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 158 to 170.
Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

You may or may not have all this info, I always find it a useful starting point. My interest is pre-Great War rugby and the players who went off to war so I would be happy to help out as much as I can with any research you may be doing in this area.

We shall no doubt bump into each other many a time on this forum.

Pip pip,

Tim

Hullo Adrian,

For some more information please follow this link:

http://ww1talk.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=1243

Pip pip,

Tim

Adrian

it's been some time since you opened this topic so you may already be aware that Bill Nanson played for Carlisle and made 12 appearances for Cumberland & Westmorland between 1905 and 1908. At the start of 1908/09 he 'went south' and joined his former team mate Frank Spottiswoode at Oldham. He made only 28 appearances for Oldham and eventually during 1911/12 he joined Coventry. There he made only 7 appearances before retiring.
There's much more on his life and death in Tom Mather's booklet 'Missing in Action' which he published in Lytham in 2005.

Graham

Graham,

Patrick Casey has actually taken over Mr Nanson for the 1st World War Project, But I am sure that he will be very grateful for the info.

Cheers

Adrian