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Nelson, John Edward Toole

Date of birth:
May 21st, 1902 (Bora/Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

John Edward Toole Nelson was married to Monica de Piro (1909-2004).

Promotions:
?: Gentleman Cadet;
June 18th, 1924: 2nd Lieutenant (seniority June 18th, 1923);
June 18th,1925: Lieutenant;
July 10th, 1934: Captain;
January 23rd, 1940: Acting Major;
April 23rd, 1940: temporary Major;
July 10th, 1940: Major;
November 15th, 1940: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel;
February 15th, 1941: temporary Lieutenant-Colonel;
?: temporary Colonel;
August 1st, 1948: Lieutenant-Colonel;
May 12th, 1949: Colonel (seniority: June 20th, 1948).

Career:
?: Royal Military College, Kingston, Canada;
?: Corps of Royal Engineers;
January 1st, 1936 - December 31st, 1938: Assistant Instructor (CL, DD), RE Wing, School of Anti-Aircraft Defence;
June 8th, 1954: Retirement.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:
Headquarters R.E. (CRE), 4th Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:
August 24th, 1944
"The work of 4 Division RE throughout the operation of crossing the RAPIDO was of a very high order. This was chiefly due to the organising ability of Lt Col NELSON and to his excellent leadership. He was present at the bridge during the unsuccessful efforts to bridge the river on the night 11/12 May. The next night it was chiefly due to his firt class planning and personal control of the building operations at the AMAZON site that this vital bridge was constructed in spite of mortar, artillery and short range machine gun fire.

Throughout the operations whether the Sappers were bridging, road making or mine lifting Lt Col NELSON was always forward directing operations and inspiring his Field Companies without thought of personal safety.

To him is due to large measure of the credit for the success of the Division in its operations."

LG 36668/3923.
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Sources

  • - The London Gazette of 9th September 1924, Issue 32972
    - The London Gazette of 30th June 1925, Issue 33062
    - The London Gazette of 25th September 1934, Issue 34090
    - The London Gazette of 7th January 1936, Issue 34240
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 16th July 1940, Issue 34899, dated 19th July 1940
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 22nd August 1944, Issue 36668, dated 24th August 1944
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 15th February 1949, Issue 38540, dated 18th February 1949
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 6th September 1949, Issue 38708, dated 9th September 1949
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 11th June 1954, Issue 40202, dated 15th June 1954
    - Recommendation for Award for Nelson, John Edward Toole Rank: Major, Temporary... | The National Archives

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