Rifleman William Nixon, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, formerly North Irish Horse, Service Nos 2094 (NIH), 40906 (RIR).

Son of John and Emily Nixon, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.

Killed in action on 6 March 1917, aged 19, during heavy bombardment in the days following the capture of the enemy front and support lines east of Bouchvesnes, near the Somme. The Battalion diary states:

6.3.17. Shelling still severe but consolidation continued.

7.3.17. 5 OR killed, 19 OR wounded.

8.3.17. 11pm. Battalion relieved in the front line by 2 Rifle Brigade. Move to (..?..) in Bouchvesnes and Lock Barracks. ... 5 OR killed 18 OR wounded.

[Note: While the CWGC list shows his date of death as 6 March, the Soldiers Died database shows it as 16 March.]

Buried at Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-le-Grand, Somme, France, grave VIII.D.26. Gravestone inscription reads:

40906 RIFLEMAN

W. NIXON

ROYAL IRISH RIFLES

6TH MARCH 1917 AGE 19

WHOSO BELIEVETH IN JESUS

SHALL NEVER DIE

JOHN 11C. 26

Image kindly provided by Richard Evans. See his website Nelson, Glamorgan and the Great War http://www.nelson-ww1-memorial.org.uk.