Albert Elroy “Bert” Nelson - 845052

Ribbons for the British War Medal and Victory Medal

              Albert Elroy Nelson was born on 28 August 1894 in Mooretown, Ontario, to Albert and Hattie Nelson.  He enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 11 February 1916 at Brigden, Ontario, joining the 149th Overseas Battalion as a Private.

              Private Nelson was found guilty of being Away Without Leave (AWL) on 8 November 1916 and 11 January 1917, and was deprived one day's pay each time.

              Private Nelson was deployed to England in April 1917, and taken on strength with the 25th Reserve Battalion.  In June, he moved to the 161st Battalion.  He remained there until February 1918, when he was posted to the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion.  In August, he deployed to the field with the 8th Battalion.

              Private Nelson returned to Canada and was demobilized on 1 March 1919, and planned to return to Sombra, Ontario.  Albert Elroy Nelson passed away in 1970, and is buried in Bethel Cemetery in Lambton County, Ontario, the same cemetery as his wife, Leona B Harper Nelson.

References:

A. https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B7261-S050

B. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152209806/albert-e-nelson

C. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152209779/leona_b_nelson

Note - "Bert" Nelson comes from the History of the Village of Brigden by F.W. Lillywhite and R.M. Brown (1934) page 23 where they refer to a "Bert Nelson." As no record was found for a Bert Nelson who enlisted at Brigden, and this member was found to have enlisted around the time, date, and location referenced by Lillywhite and Brown, it can be inferred that Bert was a nickname for Albert Nelson.