Nelson was living with his sister, Mrs. Dodgson of 8 Railway Terrace, Padiham, Lancs, when he enlisted. He was a member of the Padiham Ambulance Brigade and was employed by Jackson’s, furniture dealers in Accrington, Lancs. He entered the war in Egypt on 11th August 1915. He was onboard H.M. Transport Ship 'Royal Edward' when it was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-14. He was the son of Edward and Jane Ann Kilburn of 10 Warwick Street, Burnley.