'2nd Lieut Nelson', cigarette card, 1915

Cigarette card, from a series of 25 cards entitled, 'Victoria Cross Heroes', published by W D and H O Wills Limited, Bristol, 1915.

Portrait of 2nd Lieutenant David Nelson, Royal Horse Artillery, wearing Victoria Cross.

David Nelson (1886-1918), born in County Monaghan in Ireland on 3 April 1886, won the Victoria Cross while serving as a sergeant with 'L' Battery, Royal Horse Artillery at Nery on 1 September 1914.

The Victoria Cross citation notes that Nelson was 'Helping to bring the guns into action under heavy fire at Nery on the 1st September, and while severely wounded, remaining with them until all the ammunition was expended - although he had been ordered to retire to cover'.

Nelson was recovering in a hospital in France which was overrun by German forces. He managed to escape and was eventually evacuated to England. Nelson was treated at the 1st London General Hospital.

Nelson was awarded with the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 13 January 1915 and was subsequently promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He returned to the Western Front at the end of 1917. Having been hit by German artillery Nelson died of wounds on 8 April 1918 at Number 58 Casualty Clearing Station in Lillers in France.

One of nine cigarette cards from an incomplete series.