Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Great War M.M. awarded posthumously to Lance-Corporal A. E. Nelson, 14th Battalion (Young Citizen Volunteers), Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action at Thiepval Wood on the first day of the battle of the Somme

Military Medal, G.V.R. (6322 L. Cpl. A. E. Nelson, 14/R. Ir. Rif.) nearly extremely fine £500-600

M.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916.

Lance-Corporal Albert Ernest Nelson, 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on 1 July 1916, and is buried in the Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval. He was aged 21, son of Albert Edward and Mary Nelson, of Bryson Street, Belfast.

Private William McFadzean, of the 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for throwing himself on top of a box of bombs which had overturned in a crowded trench, two of which exploded, their pins having fallen out, killing him instantly. This occurred early on the morning of 1 July 1916, whilst the bombs were being distributed to the bombers previous to the famous advance from Thiepval Wood.