Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of David Nutt, a farm labourer, born in the July quarter of 1859 in Uppingham, Rutland (son of Andrew Nutt, 1824-1887 and Ann Dawson, 1830-1907) and his wife Eliza Nutt (nee Southwell, married on the 17th September 1882 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Uppingham), born 1857 in Uppingham and baptised on the 17th December 1857 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Uppingham (daughter of John Southwell, 1801-1884 and Mary Ann Tyers, 1816-1879). Benjamin was born on the 10th April 1893 in Uppingham, his siblings were, David, an ordinary farm labourer, born on the 1st August 1885, Alfred, a cricket field labourer, born in the October quarter of 1886, William Henry, a shop errand boy, born on the 23rd August 1888, Joseph Andrew, born in the April quarter of 1891, James, born on the 7th February 1895 and Ernest, born on the 15th May 1897, all his siblings were born in Uppingham, in March 1901 the family home was at 7, North Street, Rope Walk, Uppingham.
Benjamin’s father died, aged 45 years on the 1st May 1905 in Uppingham.
In April 1911 Benjamin was absent from the family home at Rope Walk, Uppingham, residing there was his widowed mother and siblings, David, a farm labourer, William, a painter and paper hanger, James a plumber and glazier’s apprentice and Ernest, a schoolboy and errand boy.
His older brother David, died on the 31st July, 1916 from wounds received in action.
FAMILY NOTES:
Benjamin also had the following siblings, John David Nutt Southwell, born on the 9th September 1881 and Thomas William, born on the 23rd July 1883, both siblings were born in Uppingham., he also had a half blood sister, Ada Emma Southwell, born in the July quarter of 1876 in Uppingham.
Benjamin enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 31st August 1914 in Oakham, and was allotted the regimental service number 10944. He gave his place of birth as Uppingham, Rutland and age as 21 years 143 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as iron foundry fitter.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Oakham on the 31st August 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Uppingham, Rutland, declared age as 21 years 143 days, trade or occupation as iron foundry fitter, that he was 5-feet 8¾ inches in height, weighed 144½ lbs, had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches, his physical development was described as very good, pulse rate 80, his vision was described as R.E.-V=6/6 L.E.-V=6/6. Enlisted at Oakham on the 31st August 1914. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 10944.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 21 years 143 days, height 5-feet 8¾ inches weight 144 lbs, chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 31st August 1914. Place Oakham.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Eliza Nutt, 7, Wades Terrace, North Street. Uppingham, Rope Walk, Uppingham. Brother John Nutt, Uppingham, Rutland. Brother Thomas Nutt, Lincoln, Lincolnshire. Sister Ada Palmer, 4, Clays Bridge Gold Street, Wellingborough.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Tried by Field General Court Martial for? “When on active service “Drunkenness.” In the Field. 5/11/15.
Sentenced to undergo 84 days I. H. Labour. 6/11/15.
Sentence suspended. Authority of D.A.A.G. 3rd Army. 13/11/15.
Deprived of Lance Stripe. 18/11/15.
Sentence remitted. In the Field. 4/8/16.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid) In the Field. 13/10/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 31/8/14 – 28/7/15. 332 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 1/5/17. 1 year 277 days.
Total Service. 2 years 244 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 1 May-17 - BOISLEUX ST. MARC. Reference Map 51.B. SW. Battalion at rest. Moved at night via HENIN and HENINEL and relieved one Company of the DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY in scattered trenches at N.35.a. 4.2.
A biography reproduced from the 1920 publication, Rutland & the Great War, compiled by G. Phillips records the following: - Benjamin was born at Uppingham on the 10th April, 1893, and was employed by Martin’s Iron Foundry, Stamford, when war was declared. He enlisted on the 29th August, 1914 and went out to France in July 1915. He was killed in action by a shell on May 1st, 1916, his head being blown off. His platoon commander writes of him: - “He was without exception one the most trusted and reliable soldiers in the whole battalion. He was one of the best men I have been associated with, and on his death, I feel that I have lost one whom it was my pleasure to look upon as a friend. Whenever there was anything dangerous to be done, he was always the first to come forward, and when things were not going as well as one could wish it was, he who was working harder than ever to keep things merry and bright. I should say that few men in the battalion have been out on more patrol work in “No Man’s Land.” His death has cast a gloom over the whole battalion, because his sterling worth had made him one of our most popular N.C.O.’s.”
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