Private Andrew Nixon

 

Andrew Nixon was born on 4 June 1881 at Furnish, near Fivemiletown, County Fermanagh, the third of twelve children of labourer Thomas Nixon and his wife Sarah Jane (née Rutherford). At the time of the 1901 Census he was living at nearby Eskeragh where he worked on the farm of George Johnston. On 12 January 1906 he married Annie Morrison in the Church of Ireland's Church at Colebrooke, County Fermanagh. The couple had six children over the next fifteen years. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living at Cornamucklagh, near Brookeborough, Andrew working as a farm labourer.

Nixon enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 16 and 23 November 1914 (No. UD/176). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division. In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps.

The Fermanagh Times of 11 January 1917 reported that:

A number of men of the Inniskilling Dragoons, including Troopers Harry and Willie Orr, and Andrew Nixon, ... are at present at home on leave from the front.

In August-September 1917 the 2nd NIH Regiment was disbanded and its men, following training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Nixon, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Nixon was issued regimental number 41089.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.

No further information has been discovered about Nixon's service with the 9th (NIH) Battalion through the latter part of 1917 and during 1918. On 26 April 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

 

This page last updated 19 April 2023.