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). David, a schoolboy, was born on the 1st August 1885 in Uppingham, his siblings were, John David Nutt Southwell, a schoolboy, born on the 9th September 1881, Thomas William, a schoolboy, born on the 23rd July 1883, Alfred, born in the October quarter of 1886 and William Henry, born on the 23rd August 1888, all his siblings were born in Uppingham, in April 1891 the family home was at Rope Walk, North Street, Uppingham.
In March 1901 David was employed as an ordinary farm labourer and was residing in the family home at 7, North Street, Rope Walk, Uppingham, together with his father, an ordinary farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Alfred, a cricket field labourer, William, a shop errand boy, Joseph Andrew, born in the April quarter of 1891, Benjamin, born on the 10th April 1893, James, born on the 7th February 1895 and Ernest, born on the 15th May 1897, the latter four siblings were all born in Uppingham.
David’s father died, aged 45 years on the 1st May 1905 in Uppingham.
In April 1911 David was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Rope Walk, Uppingham, together with his widowed mother and siblings, William, a painter and paper hanger, James a plumber and glazier’s apprentice, and Ernest, a schoolboy and errand boy.
His younger brother Benjamin, fell in action on the 1st May, 1917.
FAMILY NOTES:
David also had a half blood sister, Ada Emma Southwell, born in the July quarter of 1876 in Uppingham.
David enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 12th November 1914 in Uppingham, and was allotted the regimental service number 16014. He gave his place of birth as Uppingham, Rutland and age as 29 years 102 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as farm labourer.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Uppingham on the 12th November 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Uppingham, Rutland, declared age as 29 years 102 days, trade or occupation as labourer, that he was 5-feet 7¼ inches in height, weighed 139 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 38½ inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=normal L.E.-V=normal. Enlisted at [not recorded] on the [not recorded]. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 16014.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 29 years 102 days, height 5-feet 7¼ inches weight 139 lbs, chest measurement of between 34 and 38½ inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had dark grey eyes and his hair colour was dark 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 12th November 1914. Place Uppingham.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Eliza Nutt, brothers, John Nutt, Thomas Nutt, Alfred Nutt and William Nutt, 7, Whites Cottages, Rope Walk, Uppingham, Rutland.
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.
Joined. At Uppingham. 12/11/14.
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/11/14.
Posted. To 7th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Aldershot. Pte. 22/11/14.
Deprived of 14 days’ pay for “misconduct.” 26/6/15.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Admitted. To 21st Field Ambulance, gunshot wound to neck. In the Field. 14/7/16.
Admitted. To 25th Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 14/7/16.
Admitted. To 13th General Hospital, Boulogne.
Died. In 13th General Hospital, Boulogne, from wounds received in action. 31/7/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 12/11/14 – 28/7/15. 259 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 31/7/16. 1 year 4 days.
Total Service. 1 years 263 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: 14 Jul-16 - MAMETZ WOOD. ATTACK ON BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD and village by the 110th Brigade. The Battalion was drawn up for the assault in four lines. The first three lines were in front of MAMETZ WOOD and were to move forward in succession at ZERO, the first line to take, clear and hold the German first line, the remainder to push on to capture and consolidate the FOREST TRENCH (enemy support line). The fourth line were drawn up behind the north edge of MAMETZ WOOD to move forward half an hour after ZERO, and push forward through FOREST TRENCH ready to assault the German third line. By 2.55 am all dispositions were made, each platoon being on its correct adjustment. A number of casualties were suffered during this operation, one platoon of “C” Company losing almost half its number. The men behaved admirably under trying conditions. At ZERO 3.25 am when the barrage lifted our first line trench was hardly close enough to it to rush the first line before the enemy could man it, as a result the advance was rather ragged. The right (“A”) Company in conjunction with the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had little difficulty in entering the trench. The left (“D”) Company were momentarily held up by machine gun fire but managed to keep up close to the parapet and rush the line. The two centre (“B” and “C”) Companies were held up for about 20 minutes by machine guns. The pressure was relieved by parties from the right working down a flank. The centre Companies were then able to rush the trench. The second and third lines coming on, swept the remainder of the first line then, and made for the second line (FOREST TRENCH). By this time of the officers of “B” Company only 2nd Lieutenant EVANS was left, in “C” Company only 2nd Lieutenant REED, while in “D” Company all the officers were out of action. The enemy in the first line trench at first made some resistance but many were caught in their dug outs, and the rest seeing that they could not stop our rush retreated into the WOOD and made no resistance in the FOREST TRENCH. By 4.00 am our whole line was in occupation of FOREST TRENCH and the work of consolidation was begun. Captain A. A. CLARKE taking command. 2nd Lieutenant EVANS then sent back Company Sergeant Major GEARY to ensure that the German first line was cleared of the enemy. This N.C.O. with his party found a number of the enemy who had been passed over in the rush. In the meantime, the left Company (“D”) after pushing on too eagerly under our barrage and being forced to retire, turned towards the flank and established connection with the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT At 4.25 am Captain A. A. CLARKE, leaving 2nd Lieutenant EVANS in charge of the first trench, went forward in charge of the party to capture the third objective. No resistance was met with on the right, but on the left considerable trouble was caused by a machine gun and by snipers and close by the observation post in the tree both Captain CLARKE and Lieutenant WAKEFORD were hit. This left the assaulting line without an officer, but Sergeant WALKER (“A” Company) and Lance Sergeant SHERLOCK (“C” Company) rallied their men and made good this line. There was no German trench in this position and in some cases the men again pressed forward and came under fire from our own barrage. Meanwhile the left (“D” Company) being checked by the machine gun on the crest of the wood and being unable to make headway were rallied by Lance Corporal BUSH, and an attempt was made to get round the position on the right, with the result that this party lost direction in the wood and finally found itself among the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT Lance Corporal BUSH then placed himself under the orders of an officer of that Battalion. Almost before the barrage lifted, the party under Sergeant WALKER rushed the German trench on the north side of the wood. The enemy made no resistance here and being caught between the barrage of shell fire and our advancing line gave themselves up. By 6.45 am we were established in the line on North edge of the wood. Subsequently officers of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT bringing up supports took over command of this sector. About 7.15 am Captain GWYTHER was commanding the Battalion, ordered 2nd Lieutenant EVANS to push forward from FOREST TRENCH in support of the front line, on reaching the position selected for the strong point on the RAILWAY, this party came under machine gun fire from the north west corner of the wood, 2nd Lieutenant EVANS took up the line covering the strong point and prepared for reconnaissance. The position therefore at 8.00 am was: - Northern edge of the wood held by us. Possession of the North West corner doubtful. Line of RAILWAY and strong point secured by us. Throughout the morning the enemy kept up an intermittent bombardment with 150mm Howitzers and a few 77mm’s, which grew in intensity about midday and during the afternoon. About 1.00 pm it was believed that the Germans were still holding the entire edge of the wood at the North Western corner and an assaulting party of the 7th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was organised to clear them out. The bushes and trees were very thick round this point which necessarily made progress slow, the enemy evacuating and manning a trench about 30 yards from the wood, before our men could get through, we suffered several casualties from a machine gun in the above-mentioned trench. An attempt was made about 9 o clock to reorganise the Battalion, as they were considerably mixed up, most of the officers becoming casualties. Lieutenant Colonel DRYSDALE was wounded whilst the Battalion was marching to its position in front of MAMETZ WOOD, Captain and Adjutant A. A. ALDWORTH taking command. Captain’s WRIGHT, GIFFORD, Lieutenant’s. BURNETT, HOLLIS, ABBOTT and 2nd Lieutenant’s NEWTON, GUTTERIDGE and BAIN being all killed before our troops reached the first line. 2nd Lieutenant PICKERING-CLARKE, SIMPSON and REID also Lieutenant WAKEFORD were killed in the wood. The wounded officers were Captain A. A. CLARKE, Lieutenant HOUGHTON and 2nd Lieutenant’s THOMPSON, WEBB and ORRIT-NICHOL. Our total casualties were 18 officers and 535 men killed and wounded. Our men along with the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT manned the trenches at the edge of the wood and remained there until next morning. The night was quick.
On Friday 28th, July 1916, The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury published the following article on page 2, under the heading. – UPPINGHAM. – The following casualties were reported during the week end: - Killed in action: Priv. H. Phillips, Leicester’s (High-street, Uppingham), Wounded: Privs. D. Nutt, W. Nutt and F. Keys, Leicester’s (Rope-walk, Uppingham); priv. G. Porter, Leicester’s (Woodgate, Uppingham); lance-corp. G. Southwell, Leicester’s (Queen-street).
A biography reproduced from the 1920 publication, Rutland & the Great War, compiled by G. Phillips records the following: He was an ironstone labourer before joining up in November 15th, 1914. He went to France on July 29th, 1915, and on the 31st of the same month in 1916, he died from shell wounds in the arm and chest at No. 13 General Hospital, Boulogne. He is buried in Boulogne Cemetery. After being wounded the first time, Pte. Nutt was hit again while on his way to the dressing station, the German shelling at the time being described as dreadful. He was in hospital a little over a week before his death. A brother, Pte. W. H. Nutt, 7th Leicestershire regt., was wounded at the same time, and lost an eye, but subsequently went into action again. Two other brothers were wounded.
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