Source: October 1915 casualty. Killed by shell.
Family Search: Private Thomas M. Nelson was born on 22 September 1896, in Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, United Kingdom as the son of John Cooper Nelson and Elizabeth Nelson. He immigrated to Canada in 1913. He registered for military service in 1915. In 1915, at the age of 19, his occupation is listed as labourer. He died on 13 October 1915, in Ieper, West Flanders, Belgium, at the age of 19.
Brother of Nelson, William Service No. 54340. Killed in the same day and both served in the 18th Battalion. Elizabeth Nelson mother.
SRoH. Private Thomas Nelson. Home: Ontario, Canada. Born in Gatehouse. Enlisted 19th February 1915, 18th Battalion Canadian Infantry. Served on Western Front (Ypres). Killed 13th September [October] 1915.
Anwoth & Girthon War Memorial, Gatehouse inscription : Tom Nelson Canadians.
Girthon Church Memorial : T. Nelson Canadians
Girthon Gravestone : … Thomas aged 18 years Pte Canadian Forces, killed in action in France 13th Octr 1915. Mother: Bessie Nelson.
CWGC : Private T. Nelson 54356 Canadian Infantry 18th Battalion Died 13/10/1915
Buried Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.Grave 11.1.4
1901 Girthon Census, Birtwhistle Street : Tom Nelson (4, born Gatehouse) with grandparents, William & Jane McLellan and mother Elizabeth Nelson (whose husband was away at sea) + brothers John (7) & William (13).
1911 Girthon Census, Birtwhistle Street : Thomas M Nelson (14, born Gatehouse) with widowed grandfather William McLellan, mother Elizabeth Nelson + brother John (17). Mother had been married 20 years.
Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 29/10/1915 :‘Mrs Nelson, Barwhill Cottage, Gatehouse desires to express her sincere thanks to her numerous friends for their sincere sympathies extended to her in her recent sad bereavement and great loss’
Ex Jack Nelson, grand nephew : Thomas emigrated to Canada before the war. He and his brother William were both killed by the same shell.
Nelson family tree : Thomas’ father was John Cooper Nelson who emigrated to Australia – presumably intending that his wife and family would follow him. They never did, and the family believed he had been lost at sea. John C. Nelson actually died in New Guinea where he was a pearl trader.
Gatehouse link : Born and lived in Gatehouse.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
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