Reginald Carlyle Nelson

Reginald Nelson (Service No 163) was born in Kiama, NSW. At the time of enlistment he was a single 21 year old student from Jamberoo.

Reginald embarked on HMAT A67 Orsova with A flight No 1 Squadron AFC on 16th March, 1916 as an air mechanic. Soon after arriving in Egypt, Reginald was admitted to hospital with mumps and on 12th August, 1916 he was invalided to England.

On 12th September, 1917 Reginald attended flight school in England, graduating as 2nd Lieutenant Pilot on 18th November, 1917. He was sent to France and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Flight No 4 Squadron on 18th February, 1918.

At about 9.15 am on 14th July, 1918 Reginald was on patrol at 6000 to 8000 feet between LaBasser and Nieppe, firing on a balloon that was under heavy fire. Reginald's plane was hit and he crashed into a shell hole. He was uninjured, but taken prisoner.

Reginald was taken to German Flying Headquarters and then to Stralsund as a prisoner of war. He was reported as missing in action on 14th July,1918 and reported as prisoner on 31st July, 1918.

Reginald was repatriated to England, arriving on 26th December, 1918. He returned to Australia in March,1919 and was discharged on 27th June,1919.

On 26th April, 1923 Reginald married Mabel Slade at Chatswood. They had 2 children and lived in Wagga. He worked as a car salesman and mechanic.

On 14th October, 1939 Reginald joined the RAAF as an air controller. He ended the war as Chief Air Controller at Amberley Air Base Queensland in 1945.

Reginald and his family remained in Queensland and Reginald Nelson died there age 82 in 1979.